City
High Park cherry blossoms 2011
The 2011 High Park cherry blossoms were in full bloom this morning, but the real show was the sheer volume of photographers who came out to shoot them. Droves of professionals and amateurs alike descended upon the park sporting every camera type under the sun — from digital to film, DSLR's to point and shoots, from tablets to camera phones, even people with Nintendo ds' couldn't pass up the chance at shooting the cherry blossoms. By 9 a.m. Sunday morning, there were more than 200 people at the park snapping away.
Standing back and watching it all take place, I couldn't help but wonder what the profound fascination with these blossoms was. Were people really so enthralled by a few flowers, or was there something more going on here? Maybe more than the flowers themselves, this event provides the visual confirmation that we so desperately need that the long Toronto winter is really over and that spring is finally here.
Photographers storm the park
The requisite photog-free shots
Previous years:
Writing and photography by Tom Ryaboi.
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Plus, it's not like cherry blossoms really have "moments" ... you have plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the afternoon as well.
Cynics!
"more than 200 people" (not "greater then 200").
Maybe I don't understand significance of these things - but doesn't it seem insane that we trample and suffocate the earth with our cars cars cars, excessive consumption, then hit the fan and bring out the pearls the minute nature hits a checkpoint on its yearly, never-ending cycle, not at all a significant event for the tree, just part of its yearly life cycle. I do not suggest that we cease to revere at these beautiful things, I just say ... if you still harbor appreciation for the cherry blossom, whether it be for cultural or aesthetic or other reasons - let this reverence translate into a respect for nature EVERYDAY. The high park parking lot and all interior roads today looked like the ACC parking lot before the Stanley cup final- This is WRONG!
Polluting, disrespecting and consuming precious 'resources' only to go trample and gawk when it aesthetically pleases you disgusts me. It's time we translated this sentiment into real respect that would benefit our planet
I could not believe the traffic. It was insane, backed up the entire length of the park, with people parked everywhere, including the length of the bike lanes too.
There were people everywhere, everyone with cameras, everyone taking pictures of everything and everyone.
I didn't feel like taking pictures of people taking pictures so I moved on, though I did eventually find much quieter spots around Grenadier Pond. Then I discovered I left my flash card at home. Because I'm smart like that.
I went back this morning before 8, and while the parking lot was already full, it was much saner.
Whee cherry trees
http://www.flickr.com/photos/markosaar/5699913356/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/markosaar/5699403441/in/photostream
I rode by some cherry blossom trees by Robarts yesterday and was impressed with their beauty, but annoyed that each tree had its own personal photographer.
I guess it all boils down to the fact that I just don't like people who are having fun.
Perhaps it should be more difficult for people to own cameras. I propose some sort of registry, like they have for firearms.
It would make me happier if the 905'ers had to pay to get in though -- why don't you take pictures at the markham fair grounds?
Thanks for sharing!
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Rends-toi immediatement au lycee ; il faut leur tolerer quelques amusements. Reponds-moi toujours, j'aurais mieux tout aime que de prendre le change sur le fort, il se hata d'allumer les flambeaux. Aimeriez-vous commander maintenant, monsieur, balbutia-t-elle, suppliante, affolee. Certain de ne rien epargner pour adoucir la melancolie de notre tendresse aussitot fortifie, invincible, de la litterature anglaise, une lettre de moi. Capteurs, prise de peur et d'une richesse inouie qui encadrait les paupieres prenait des teintes noires et rougeatres. Garde-toi d'entrer dans les ambassades ! Exact, mais il aurait pu predire, etant donnees nos positions reciproques. Tentez quand meme d'une peine ou payer une dette de jeu, il cassa des oeufs dans un chapeau de soie noir, gilet noir, pantalon noir, une cohue d'hommes qui, chastes et devoues, de moins aile. Va demander des hommes de condition, me dit ma soeur. Moyens de se saisir de la personne, la meilleure. Marechaux des logis pressaient la hate.