A curious yellowhammer observed me carefully during a winter walk near the Warta Valley — most birds flew away, but this one stayed
It was meant to be an ordinary walk — one of those gentle winter afternoons when the air softens and the low light warms everything it touches. I was moving slowly along the edge of the fields near the river valley, not searching for anything in particular.
That moment when the highest peaks reveal themselves through winter fog — the Polish Tatras showing off their alpine soul
There’s a moment, just before mist swallows a mountain, when you feel very small. I felt that way standing beneath Poland’s highest peaks — the Tatras rising layer by layer into heavy winter clouds.
A peaceful chapel nestled in the Tatras, where faith, perseverance, and community endure.
While my son was skiing in Małe Ciche, near Zakopane, I found the perfect excuse to leave behind the ski slopes and take a snowy hike with my camera. As I walked through the quiet hills, the world seemed to slow down, and then I came across something unexpected — a small chapel hidden within the folds of the Tatra Mountains.
Frost-covered birches during a quiet winter walk — a short return of winter near the frozen lake
Winter returned for a few days — just enough to quietly reshape the landscape once again. When the frost settled overnight and the trees turned pale and white, I picked up the camera and headed out to a few of my favorite nearby locations. Places I return to often, in different seasons, knowing that even a small change in weather can completely alter their mood.
A quiet winter walk — frost, muted light, and snow kept neutral to preserve a calm, welcoming winter mood
Winter has its own rhythm. For me, it usually starts around mid‑November, when roads turn white not just from snow, but from salt — and riding outside slowly gives way to hours on the indoor trainer. Long walks replace long rides, and the camera becomes an excuse to step outside when the cold feels sharpest.
A foggy winter evening by a small lake near my home — thin ice at the edges, quiet water, and reeds holding through the cold as the last light fades
There’s a lake near my home — close enough for an unplanned visit, yet distant enough to feel like a small escape. I come here often, especially in the evening, when the light begins to soften and the day slows down. Sunset has a way of doing that — turning a familiar lakeside view into something briefly new.
A quiet winter path traced by hoar frost, where frozen trees and pale grass slow the morning to a standstill
It doesn’t happen often here. Once, maybe twice a year, the conditions align just right and the air fills with something almost invisible — hoar frost, sometimes called diamond dust. Tiny ice crystals linger in place, transforming the countryside overnight.
A winter roadside shrine hidden among old trees — quiet, cared for, and shaped by the season
In summer, roadside shrines in Poland often announce themselves — bright flowers, ribbons catching the light, colours that draw the eye. You notice them almost by accident while moving through the landscape.
A young roe deer buck pauses in a snowy field, surprised by an unexpected encounter on a winter walk
Winter arrived suddenly this week — the kind of winter I remember from childhood. Not the hesitant, half-hearted versions we’ve had lately, with mud instead of snow and temperatures that never really commit. This one came quietly but decisively: frost in the mornings, fields turning white overnight, and that familiar crunch underfoot.
A distant silhouette settles on a lone tree as an early winter evening quietly fades
It was one of those early winter evenings when the light fades quickly. The air was still, the fields quiet and half asleep, caught somewhere between late autumn and winter. I wasn’t walking with a photograph in mind — just moving slowly through familiar ground near open fields, letting the evening settle in.
A first look at Polish Las Vegas — a private property near Sieradz glowing with thousands of winter lights
Looking for unusual winter attractions in Poland? Near the town of Sieradz, one seasonal stop breaks the quiet rhythm of Central Poland with an explosion of light.