A Curious Yellowhammer in the Warm Winter Light

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.

Continue reading A Curious Yellowhammer in the Warm Winter Light

When the Trails Turn to Ice — A Warm Winter in the Polish Tatras

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.

Continue reading When the Trails Turn to Ice — A Warm Winter in the Polish Tatras

Faith in the Folds of the Tatras

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.

Continue reading Faith in the Folds of the Tatras

Winter, Briefly

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.

Continue reading Winter, Briefly

Keeping Winter Quiet — A Frosty Edit with a Warm Heart ❄️

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.

Continue reading Keeping Winter Quiet — A Frosty Edit with a Warm Heart ❄️

Waiting for the Light to Leave — A Winter Evening by the Lake

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.

Continue reading Waiting for the Light to Leave — A Winter Evening by the Lake

When the Air Turns to Crystals

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.

Continue reading When the Air Turns to Crystals

When the Forest Falls Silent — A Winter Roadside Shrine in Poland

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.

Continue reading When the Forest Falls Silent — A Winter Roadside Shrine in Poland

A Proper Winter, at Last

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.

Continue reading A Proper Winter, at Last

An Evening Pause

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.

Continue reading An Evening Pause

Polish Las Vegas – A Winter Stop on the Cycling Map of Central Poland

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.

Continue reading Polish Las Vegas – A Winter Stop on the Cycling Map of Central Poland