suns along the Mohawk

 . . . “May Peace Prevail on Earth” . . .

When it comes to cherry blossom displays in and around Schenectady, it’s hard to the beat mature, lush stand of trees on the lawn of Congregation Gates of Heaven, on the corner of Ashmore Ave. and Eastern Parkway, at the Niskayuna town line.

This year’s CGOH cherry blossom crop was fading but still glorious when I stopped by last Saturday and took advantage of the bright late-afternoon sunshine.  It was a special treat for someone who loves both cherry blossoms and gnarled tree limbs.  I walked over there with my friend Yu Chang, who lives near Central Park.  Yu, a Union College engineering professor and much-honored haiku poet, started my photography hobby three years ago when he gave me a fine hand-me-down digital camera.

 You can see some of Prof. Chang’s photography at the Simply Haiku website, which has a selection of his photo haiga — an image that includes a linked haiku poem.  I accompanied Yu and his wife Anita to the Central Park rose garden last summer, a trip that resulted in a lengthy photo display here at suns along the Mohawk.

The CGOH peace pole starred in a quite a few of my shots.  It has the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” translated into many languages.

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The slideshow below has over a dozen photos from the grounds of Congregation Gates of Heaven.  Unfortunately, without a miracle there will be no blossoms for the 19th Annual Cherry Blossom Crafts Festival and 5K Race for ALS, on Sunday May 15, rain or shine from 10 AM to 3 PM.  Stop by anyway, for the grand trees, plus “Great Refreshments, 50 crafters, Free Admission, Games for Kids.”

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