Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/4, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Getting On Past Prime Time

The main cherry blossoms were clearly past their peak this morning, quickly helped along by a soaking rain that arrived mid-morning and lasted all day. The wind and rain combined to create a carpet of blossoms anywhere a tree was near.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1250 — full exif
Black Asphalt Path

That pretty much sealed the end of Kyoto's cherry-blossom season this year, just a tad earlier than last year. No more full bloom in Kyoto, no more joie de vivre, no more evening cherry-blossom lightup. Of course, I have plenty of photos from the weekend and from this morning before the rain, so I have stock for later posts, and next year's cherry-blossom previews.

(Also, there are a few late-blooming varieties yet to come.)

The rain did make for a fun stroll with Mommy (and, apparently, focus issues for me)...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200 mm — ¹/500 sec, f/3.2, ISO 500 — full exif

I'm sure it's the same worldwide: kids love rain puddles.

Continued here...