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D.C. Hunkers Down During Cherry Blossom Season (photos)

By Jeff Malet • March 23, 2020 0 1896

There are 12 different types of cherry trees in the District, with blossoms ranging in color from white to deep pink. Photo by Jeff Malet.

It has been a season unlike any other. For over 100 years, the iconic display of cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin, and the many related festivities, have been one of the star attractions in the District.

As it turned out, this year’s display, though a bit earlier than expected, was no less spectacular. Missing were the Park Service tents, food vendors and the National Cherry Blossom Festival stage. For safety reasons due to justified concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, the city finally had to resort to mass street closures to keep large crowds away. But there was a brief window for a few days early on when foot trafic was quite sparce, as the flowers approached peak bloom when it was possible to capture the scene.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from the Tidal Basin, plus scenes from elsewhere around the city related to the shut-down, by clicking on the photo icons below.

: Cherry trees in bloom aloing the Tidal Basin on Thurs. March 19. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: There are 12 different types of cherry trees in the District, with blossoms ranging in color from white to deep pink. Photo by Jeff Malet.

: Foot traffic was still light along the Tidal Basin at 10 a.m. on Thursday March 19. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Asala Raqs, a popular belly dance artist in the District, poses in a traditional Arabic costume that she picked to match the colors of the blossoms. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: The Cooney (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Richardson (Richmond Va.) families stop for photos. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Penelope (age 6) from Annadale Va. shows off her pink kimono at the Tidal Basin on Friday, March 20. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: One of the first trees (photo by Jeff Malet)

: A rare photo of an empty Jefferson Memorial at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Outside the cherry blossoms were at near peak levels but foot traffic at this time was down considerably. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: MLK stands alone at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 19. A rare sight. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: On March 11, Mayor Muriel Bowser, flanked by council members and health officials, declared a state of emergency for the District at a press conference. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: This popular hair stylist on Dupont Circle is empty at 1 p.m. on Monday March 16 (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Connecticut Ave. resembles a ghost town just after noon on Monday March 16. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: By Monday March 16, all museums in the District closed their doors ‘temporarily’.(photo by Jeff Malet)

: A Walgreens reflects panic buying of paper goods. On Monday March 16. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: By Monday March 16, all D.C. theaters and movie houses had closed their doors. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Coronavirus testing is not available here, says CVS. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Penn Quarter is the “Empty Quarter’ when this photo was taken on Wed. March 18 in front of the National Portrait Gallery. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: (photo by Jeff Malet)

: The Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals and Wizards sports teams is shuttered for the duration. 7th Street is at 8 a.m. on March 18 during the normal rush hour. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: District restaurants are ordered to serve take-out only. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases, and other federal health officials testified before the Senate Health Committee regarding coronavirus response efforts. On Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, March 3. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: The Japanese Pagoda was a gift by the mayor of Yokohama, Japan in 1957. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: The white Yoshino (bottom photo) is one the most prevalent in D.C., numbering around 2,600, or 70 percent of all cherry trees. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Magnolia trees at the Enid A. Haupt Garden, which traditionally bloom about a week before the cherry blossoms, can be equally as spectacular. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Foot traffic was still light along the Tidal Basin at 10 a.m. on Thursday March 19. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: The National Mall is deserted on Thursday March 19 in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: A sign outside the National Portrait Gallery announces its temporary closure, along with the other Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. Photo by Jeff Malet.