Three Pale Pink Blossoms with Copper Leaves

Three pale pink cherry blossoms hang together on a thin dark branch, their petals fading from soft pink at the edges to near white at the centres. Yellow-tipped stamens spread from each flower. Around them, young leaves are a deep coppery red with crinkled, toothed edges. Behind the cluster, the background melts into a blur of lilac, rose and muted brown, with more blossoms barely visible at the right. The light is warm and clear, and it gives the petals a slightly translucent look. The mood is quiet and fresh.

The flowers are identified as cherry blossoms of Prunus section Cerasus, photographed in spring at Tuntorp, near Brastad in Lysekil Municipality, Sweden. Cherry trees in this group often flower just as their new leaves unfold, which is why reddish-bronze foliage so often appears alongside the petals. The blooms last only a short time, and wind or rain can strip them within days. The soft background and the open space around the flowers leave room for desktop icons, so this landscape image suits a widescreen monitor or a laptop.