PHOTO FEATURE: After an unusually long and cold winter, springtime has finally settled in over Norway. Cherry blossoms have been especially spectacular this year, but so have tulips and other carefully tended flower beds like those here in Bergen and Oslo.
Even a concrete office building like this one at Solli Plass in Oslo looked distinguished behind this blossoming cherry tree.
So did these modern office buildings attached to the National Library, which attracted photographers. In true Japanese style, several people sat down under the cherry blossoms for an authentic hanami moment.
Cherry blossom time also came to Bergen last week, including here at the lake in the middle of the historic west coast city.
Some warm weather accompanied the blossoming, making it possible to sit outdoors and enjoy the view over the fjord. This flower bed was right outside the historic home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.
These tulips, meanwhile, were standing tall in downtown Bergen and blooming just in time for Constitution Day celebrations on the 17th of May.
Back in Oslo, lots of springtime rituals have been going on, like those between this swan couple who decided to make a nest right near a boat dock about to undergo renovations.
While mom took a break from the nesting, her partner stood guard in the company of duck doing some nesting of his own nearby. Temperatures later fell again but summer is clearly on its way.
PHOTOS: NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
