Sakura Hanami

May 7th was the height of the cherry blossoms in High Park, Toronto. The blossoms are very fleeting, and as such one must view them as soon as the first blossoms open. Warm weather will accelerate that further. In 1959, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 2000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese-Canadians following the Second World War. Many of these trees were planted on the hillside overlooking Grenadier Pond. The downside to photographing this breathtaking marvel are the masses of people. The earlier you go as in most cases, the fewer people there will be. People in your photos are an inevitable fact, as it draws residents of Toronto as well as people from all over.