Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

March 30, 2012

Minnesota in Photos: Spring blossomed early

Photos by Jeffrey Thompson, Jennifer Simonson

Signs of spring can be seen several weeks earlier than normal in Minnesota. We visited Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood and the Peace Garden in Minneapolis to get a closer look.

Maplewood, Minnesota, USA — A gray squirrel transports a nut at Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, Minn. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Maplewood, Minnesota, USA — A pond reflects surrounding trees at Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, Minn. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Maplewood, Minnesota, USA — Grass grows around a lake at Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, Minn. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Maplewood, Minnesota, USA — A small bud begins to open at Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, Minn. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Maplewood, Minnesota, USA — A male mallard navigates a pond at Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, Minn. Tuesday, March 27, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Spring blooms at the Lake Harriet Peace Garden

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — A magnolia blossom before it flowers Monday, March 26, 2012 at Lyndale Park Peace Garden in Minneapolis. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Siberian squill are some of the first spring flowers to bloom Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Lyndale Park Peace Garden in Minneapolis. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — A magnolia tree in blossom Monday, March 26, 2012 at Lyndale Park Peace Garden. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — A yellow forsythia bush stands out in an otherwise mostly brown and green landscape Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Lyndale Park Peace Garden in Minneapolis. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — A flowering crab tree is one of the first trees to grow leaves each spring at Lyndale Park Gardens, Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in Minneapolis. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — An Eastern Redbud tree will flower nearly a month early due to recent warm weather Monday, March 26, 2012 at Lyndale Park Gardens in Minneapolis. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Pasque flowers in bloom Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Lyndale Park Peace Gardens in Minneapolis. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

View other Minnesota in Photos Slideshows:

Nature Valley Grand Prix
Photos from the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium on Friday.

Former Nazi SS commander
The AP says a Minneapolis man has a secret past.

Como Zoo's Gorilla Forest
Get a look inside the largest mesh gorilla enclosure in North America.

Appetites: Summer relishes
The trick to a dish is often just the right twist of flavor.

Minnesota Scenes: May
Your photos from Run or Dye, the same sex marriage debate and more.

Scrambling for cattle feed
Visit a Minnesota dairy operation caught in a feed shortage.

Clancey's Meats and Fish
Grilling season is here, and we visit this old school Minneapolis merchant.

Heart of the Beast May Day Parade
The annual tradition in Powderhorn Park attracts thousands of people

The deadly St. Paul landslide
Two children died on a fossil hunting school field trip.

The family cabin getaway tradition
Take a look as a family opens their cabin in a remote part of the state.