Falling Petals, Japan

Photograph by Hisao Mogi

I sat down on a stump for a rest after a stroll in Nara Park and watched the deer. They were eating fallen cherry blossom petals peacefully. Suddenly a strong wind blew and cherry blossom petals started to fall on the deer. It was like a shower of cherry blossom petals. In Japanese, it is called hana fubuki, which means flower snowstorm.

(This photo and caption were submitted to the 2012 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.)

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