Dawn is a magical time for me as a photographer. While the sun hasn't yet risen above the horizon, it shines just enough light on the night sky to splash some purple and red on an otherwise deep blue canvas.

Dawn, Cherry Blossoms, and the Washington Monument In the image above, you may notice the scaffolding covering the Washington Monument. It's currently undergoing repairs required due to significant damage that was caused by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that occurred back in August 2011.

Purple Dawn at the Jefferson

A couple of weeks ago, I went to photograph the cherry blossoms. It was bittersweet because of my father's recent death. A few years ago, my father and stepmother visited, and the three of us enjoyed going to the Jefferson Memorial while the blossoms were blooming. 

Serenity at the Tidal Basin

The peak bloom is one of my favorite times in D.C. and I enjoyed showing my father around the Tidal Basin. It seemed appropriate to think about him and our fun times together by returning to the Tidal Basin.

Morning Sun and Blossoms

I'm pleased at how these images turned out and I really wish that I could share them with my father. He had always been supportive of my photography and I think he would have liked these images.

Spring Cherry Blossoms

Yesterday, I got up very early to shoot the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. The revised estimate of the National Park Service for peak bloom said that peak would start yesterday. Unfortunately, particularly cold weather set the peak bloom back even further than the revised estimate. However, all was not lost. While I didn't get to shoot any cherry blossoms, I did get to experience a beautiful sunrise.

Spring Dawn at the Jefferson Spring Sunrise at the Jefferson Jefferson Greets the Sun