"Sakura, Sakura,"

No, it is not Spring yet.  Tonight we may even have snow.  Today is a leap day, the very last day of February.  We should be in the midst of Winter.  
Europe is having a very cold winter.  On the news I saw that the Coliseum in Rome was closed to the public for a few days because snow made it very dangerous.  But here in New York, we are having an unusually Warm Winter.  
I still remember last Winter, we had so much snow on the ground at this time last year.  Last week, we even had a few days that reached 60F, which should have been in April. 
Even if cold rain is coming down today, it doesn't feel like Winter.  It feels like Spring has arrived already.  
For me, Spring always comes with Cherry Blossoms.  I can't see pink flowers on the trees yet, but I can feel flower buds are here waiting to open any day now.  Once those blossoms start opening, that is the official sign of Spring's Arrival.  I hope that day is around corner....
Let me talk about "Sakura" which means Cherry Blossoms in Japanese. "Sakura" is a symbol of Spring and the beginning of the New School Year.  And the celebration of Beauty which Nature dictates.  If we have rain or strong wind, those blossoms will be gone next day.  Air temperature makes the color of the petals dark or light.  It's all up to Mother Nature.  It is beyond our power.  
Japanese have a thing about "Sakura".  Just because they have such pretty flowers and they blossom just for a short time?  Sometimes it's only for a few days.  I think that just because Cherry Blossom Season is not the same every year.  When we have a wonderful "Sakura Season", it is like a gift from Nature, so we must appreciate it when we can.  
Spring is all about Cherry Blossoms in Japan.  There are many places famous for Sakura Viewing all over Japan.  People go there to see variation of Faint to Deep Pink flowers, and to enjoy special foods & drinks under Cherry Trees.  


In Chelsea, we have a few "Yae Sakura (Cherry Trees that will have pink flowers almost like Pompoms)" in Early Spring.  I always walk around a few blocks to see those trees and take pictures.  
When you find flower buds on trees, you better be ready to return to see the same Cherry Tree in a few days.  Flowers will open suddenly and stay open for maybe a week if we have good weather after that.  
I'll show you what kind of Sakura Trees we have in Chelsea.  Like I said, those trees are within 2 blocks of my home.  
These are photos I took 2 years ago.  I remember last year we did not have a great "Sakua Season."  Hope this year we will be able to see those glorious pink flowers.  And very soon.....   

I came across more than a few photos of "Sakura".

Some of them are so wonderful !

So, I can't help sharing them with my blog viewers. 

If you have more and better pictures of "Sakura",  please let me know !

I'd love to get it for my archive.