SakuraWatch 2010 Update
I've been inexcusably slacking on SakuraWatch this year, but I finally managed to get off my ass and contribute.
These are photos I took earlier today, Thursday, March 4, 2010.
I'm sure we're all hoping for the explosion of sakura blossoms that have spoiled us in the past. It's too early to tell if we'll be that lucky this year.
So far, there are a couple of lone blooms peeking out, but 99% of the trees are bare, with brown or green buds. I wouldn't guess that these trees are quite ready to pop just yet. See for yourself.
As you can see on this map, I've broken the SakuraWatch down into four zones.
1: along the west side of the lake
2: along the entry road
3: north of the entrance, by the dirt lot
4: south of the entrance, on the grassy knoll
Zone 2: Entry Road
Here are the trees along the entrance road. As you can see, not much going on. A few green tips of buds pushing forth. That's about it.
Those above are some of the few actual blooms. But it's mostly buds, and not even that many green ones.
Here's the creek that goes by the bamboo grove.
Zone 4: Grassy Knoll
Here are some of the younger trees on the south side of the entrance, on the grassy rise. Again, not much going on.
The buds here are mostly still in their red-brown phase, which isn't as far along as the other areas of the park.
Zone 3: North
This is the area to the north of the entrance, along the path that borders the big dirt parking lot. There are a couple of blossoms on one or two of the trees, but for the most part, it's all buds.
The buds are showing green, though, which is a step in the right direction.
Zone 1: Lakeside
Lake Balboa, the man-made pond, has the oldest and most impressive set of trees growing alongside. These trees are likewise still dormant.
Some of the buds are well green by now, but many others are still just starting to emerge from their reddish-brown shells.
There are like two trees with any amount of sakura blossoms on them, but even those are still pretty spare.
The ducks are out enjoying Lake Balboa.
So are the anglers.
Jason is predicting the weekend of March 20, which is the weekend of some sort of Anime LA potluck. Personally, I have no association with Anime LA, don't plan on going to Anime LA next year, and have no plans to attend the potluck. I've got nothing against Anime LA, I've enjoyed going in the past, but I'm not really into it anymore, and anyway, I haven't been invited to their potluck. Assuming that is the weekend for sakura, I expect that I'll be making separate plans.