Cherry Blossoms in Washington

Cherry trees lean over the Tidal Basin on a clear spring morning, with the Jefferson Memorial standing across the water. Heavy branches fill the left side with pale blossoms, while the white dome and long rows of columns sit in open sunlight. Fallen petals scatter along the path and drift near the bank.

The memorial is the easiest section to find first. Its dome, steps and columns form a bright block that is easy to keep apart from the water. After that, follow the dark branches through the blossom clusters and use the shoreline to place the reflections. The last pieces will probably be among the smaller flowers, but the branch direction keeps the pink and white areas from turning into one large pile.