The spring equinox as seen around the world - in pictures

  • A US motorist silhouetted against the setting sun on the eve of the vernal or spring equinox in Shawnee, Kansas. It signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere with the day and night being roughly equal in duration. AP
    A US motorist silhouetted against the setting sun on the eve of the vernal or spring equinox in Shawnee, Kansas. It signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere with the day and night being roughly equal in duration. AP
  • Hot air balloons over the Pyramid of the Sun during the spring equinox celebrations in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan in Mexico City. AFP
    Hot air balloons over the Pyramid of the Sun during the spring equinox celebrations in the pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan in Mexico City. AFP
  • Cherry blossoms are in bloom at the Tidal Basin near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Peak bloom, as defined when seventy percent of the cherry blossoms are open, is expected to occur this week. EPA
    Cherry blossoms are in bloom at the Tidal Basin near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Peak bloom, as defined when seventy percent of the cherry blossoms are open, is expected to occur this week. EPA
  • The orange hues of the sun set dominate the skies of Zaragoza in Spain's Aragon region. EPA
    The orange hues of the sun set dominate the skies of Zaragoza in Spain's Aragon region. EPA
  • A French boxer plays in a garden with blooming primroses in Sofia in Bulgaria. EPA
    A French boxer plays in a garden with blooming primroses in Sofia in Bulgaria. EPA
  • A field of blooming flowers in Lancaster in California is a reminder that warmer days are on doorstop. EPA
    A field of blooming flowers in Lancaster in California is a reminder that warmer days are on doorstop. EPA
  • Hot air balloons float above the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan in Mexico City. Reuters
    Hot air balloons float above the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan in Mexico City. Reuters
  • Members of the Druid Order perform a ritual during a celebration of the spring equinox at Tower Hill in London. Getty
    Members of the Druid Order perform a ritual during a celebration of the spring equinox at Tower Hill in London. Getty
  • A cat silhouetted at dawn on one of the few days in March when the sun sets straight down in San Jose in Costa Rica. EPA
    A cat silhouetted at dawn on one of the few days in March when the sun sets straight down in San Jose in Costa Rica. EPA
  • The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. EPA
    The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. EPA
  • A woman raises her arms to welcome the spring equinox in Teotihuacan in Mexico City. Reuters
    A woman raises her arms to welcome the spring equinox in Teotihuacan in Mexico City. Reuters