Spring Glory: The Cherry Blossoms of UW in Full Bloom
This Image from this series was honored as the April 2025 cover photo for the KOMO #SoNorthwest Photography group—a reminder that sometimes the quiet moments we witness can speak volumes to others, too. (Note the Olympic Mountain Range in the far upper left distance)
Every spring, the University of Washington's Quad is transformed into a living poem—branches laden with soft pink petals that flutter in the breeze like whispered prayers. Last week, I was blessed to walk among them at their peak, camera in hand and drone in the sky, seeking to capture not just the scene but the spirit of the moment.
This year’s bloom was magnificent—one of those rare alignments where timing, weather, and light all come together. I’ve been spending the past months here doing my best to make a less than fun situation enjoyable by doing photography.
With my Nikon, I walked beneath the blossoms, framing, looking for lines, working in the old architecture, petals falling gently like snow, and the warm light filtering through delicate blooms.
From the air, my Mavic 3 Classic revealed the grandeur of it all—the symmetrical layout of trees across the Quad, the soft pink canopy against a backdrop of evergreens and historic architecture. It felt like standing at the threshold of heaven.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
— Isaiah 40:8
Cherry blossoms are breathtaking, in part, because they do not last. Their beauty is fleeting—a reminder that much of what we hold dear in this life is meant to be appreciated in its time, not clung to. Spring invites us to slow down, to breathe deep, and to remember that every bloom, every sunrise, and every heartbeat is a gift.
As I photographed these trees—some of which have stood for nearly a century—I felt a quiet joy. Not just in the images I was capturing, but in the stillness of the moment, the laughter echoing around the Quad, and the whisper of God's presence in the rustle of leaves and petals. I always feel quite fortunate when it all comes together. This day was no different.
I’ve shared a selection of these images here—some from the ground, where you feel the intimacy of the blossoms up close, and others from above, where the scope and splendor take your breath away.
If these photos move you, I invite you to reflect on the beauty that surrounds you right now—whether in a flowerbed, a sunrise, or a quiet moment with someone you love. Spring is a gentle reminder that God is always at work, renewing, restoring, and writing beauty into our stories.
May these blossoms remind you of His promise:
"Behold, I make all things new." (Revelation 21:5)
With gratitude,
-rob out
PS A number of the images are now available in the store for sale
