I asked for spring photos. Here’s what you shared.

Good morning, DMV*! It’s Thursday, March 26. Dear America”

Oh, dear readers, I am so proud of myself: I am getting things done!

I finally sent a long overdue thank-you note to readers who have donated to support my work. In that note, I asked you to tell me about yourselves. So many of you took the time to share your joy, your grief and your stories. I’ll read all your emails and try to reply to everyone, though there are so many, so it’s a challenge!

Meanwhile … you all are loving on spring: I’ve received so many photos from you that I’m dedicating today’s newsletter to your images of blooms and buds from across the region.

Jessica Hirschhorn, 74, of Bethesda, Maryland, took this photo on Monday of Hains Point across the Washington Channel, from the Titanic Memorial. She said it was her first stop on a bike ride from Hains Point up the Anacostia River trail to Lake Artemesia.

Jessica: Thanks for the geography and monument lesson! I didn’t know about the Washington Channel or the Titanic Memorial. I love biking the Anacostia River trail and, as it turns out, am planning a ride tomorrow with a friend to Lake Artemesia.

Helen Anthony, 34, of Arlington, Virginia: “Here's a photo I took of my foster dog, Sky, with the cherry blossoms in Colonial Village (Arlington) on 3/24. She much prefers chasing squirrels to posing for photos, but I couldn't resist trying to get a photo of her with the blooms!”

Gloria Brokaw writes: “This is a perfect little blossom sprig from our cherry tree Sakura. Every year I look forward to her Spring fashion show!”

Naina Mistry, 56, of Arlington: “My husband's family loves to visit the National Arboretum. His parents used go every Sunday morning, and while we live a bit further away, my husband and I make the trip several times a year. In fact, we got engaged at the Arboretum back in 1998.

“This photo was taken on Sunday, March 22, when my husband's brother and parents were all in town. We offered to take a photo of a family with a cute baby posing under this lovely weeping cherry tree, and then they returned the favor. It's rare that we are all in the same place together — and that Buddy the dog will pose so nicely for a family photo — so I'm glad we were able to capture the moment.”

Ann Crowley, 61, of Alexandria, Virginia, also sent a photo from the arboretum.

“I went there this past Sunday because I knew it was going to be a beautiful, sunny day. I wanted to make sure I got myself outside, and I had heard the Arboretum had some cheery blossoms starting to really pop. But yes taking photos was a big part of it as well. I create a calendar every year for myself, so taking photos is a big part of what I do.”

Sam Nelson, 40, an arborist and resident of Ward 1 in D.C., took this photo Saturday at the Enid Haupt Garden. He said it is a cluster of baby ginkgo leaves emerging from their winter bud.

”The leaf cluster is surrounded by strobili, kind of like a male ginkgo flower. In coming days, the leaves will unroll, stretch, and extend. So will the strobili, eventually releasing pollen,” he wrote.

“I was [at the Enid Haupt Garden] to see the saucer magnolias which were lovely. But to be honest, one of my favorite parts about early spring isn't the flowers but watching baby leaves unfurl from buds. Few are cuter than ginkgos … Paying attention to the tiny details in urban nature is one of the best ways to infuse magic into our daily lives.”

Sam’s leading guided cherry blossom walks this Sunday through next Wednesday. He’s charging a little over $20 for the walks but offering a $5 discount for readers of this newsletter, if you type in this code: DailyDose.

Jackie Marks, 42, of Hyattsville, Maryland: “The magnolias are out and looking gorgeous! I snapped this on my commute home from work this week in front of Blue Duck Tavern in West End. I could tell the woman in front of me was in awe — she walked slowly and looked around at the blooms, taking them in. A beautiful reminder to slow down and appreciate nature.”

* For those of you wondering: The DMV is how residents here call the D.C. region, which includes Maryland and Virginia. I’d get emails from people asking about this every few weeks. Now you know.

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