The National Zoo has set up web cameras throughout the park. The list includes: BatCam, the Nile HippoCam, The LionCam, The OranguCams, ElephantCam, the RhinoCam, and the mysterious Naked Mole-RatCam.

The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal the coming ofSpring with an explosion of life and color surrounding the JeffersonMemorial on the Tidal Basin in a sea of pink and white.

Approximately 3,700 cherry trees of various species and cultivars are currently grow in three park locations: around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, in East Potomac Park and on the WashingtonMonument grounds. The initial gift of3,020 trees was represented by 12different varieties of which two varieties, the Yoshino and Kwanzan, nowdominate.

Dates and Peak Blooming dates

The Japanese love relationship with cherry blossoms has lasted 10 centuries. The people love to see not only the single petal cherry blossoms in their prime and freshness, they also relish the beauty of falling snowy petals in the spring breeze. Of all flowers, the cherry blossoms appeal most to the aesthetic taste of the Japanesepeople.

This site has information about the history of cherry blossoms, bloom times, and even Shinto and Buddist shrines.