I didn’t plan to take wildlife photos that day. It was just a slow recovery walk after a few harder bike workouts — the kind of quiet stroll I sometimes take around the outskirts of my town. The fields there look almost empty at this time of year — ploughed soil, cold air, a touch of wind, and that late-autumn stillness that feels like everything is already waiting for winter. Even though it’s only a few hundred metres from my house, once you step off the road it becomes a surprisingly quiet, open space, wrapped in the soft, earthy smell of damp soil and the faint rustle of dry plants.
Jackdaw perched on my balcony satellite dish — a fleeting, up-close moment at dusk
It wasn’t planned — one moment the satellite dish on my balcony was empty, and the next, a jackdaw had landed, claiming it like a throne. I had just seconds to grab the camera, switch lenses, and inch closer without startling it. No time for a tripod or careful settings — just instinct, fast fingers, and a bit of luck.
A tagged Dunlin (Calidris alpina) photographed at Mewia Łacha Nature Reserve on Poland’s northern coast — a key stopover for migratory shorebirds
On the windswept Baltic coast, where the Vistula River meets the sea, you’ll find Rezerwat Przyrody Mewia Łacha — one of Poland’s most unique and important birdwatching locations. This protected nature reserve near the river’s estuary is a key stopover site for thousands of migratory birds, including the Dunlin (Calidris alpina) — a small, fast-moving wader known for its distinctive plumage and constant motion.
Quiet moment among the grass — this relaxed duck offered a rare portrait opportunity in soft afternoon light
Wildlife photography isn’t always about action or drama — sometimes, the most compelling moments are the quiet ones. This duck portrait, taken in soft focus and nestled among spring grass, captures one of those rare pauses. Half-hidden by gently swaying blades, the mallard offered a calm, unguarded moment in the golden afternoon light — a perfect reminder of the beauty found in stillness.
Some moments in nature feel almost too poetic to be real — and this was one of them. Just before sunrise, with a violet haze hanging low over the fields, four cranes sliced silently through the still air, their wings backlit by a soft, pink glow. The towering silhouettes of wind turbines loomed behind them, half-swallowed by the fog — industrial giants caught in a rare moment of natural serenity.
A female blackbird perched in early spring—patient, alert, and perfectly camouflaged among the branches.
Did you know female blackbirds (unlike males) wear muted brown plumage? A master of blending in.
This photo captures a female blackbird perched on a branch during early spring. Her brown plumage blends with the surroundings, while her alert posture shows the quiet activity of the season. The image highlights the simple beauty of wildlife during seasonal transitions.
This photo captures a male pheasant standing in tall bushes and trees during summer. His colorful plumage stands out against the green background, showing a typical moment in the life of this game bird. The image documents both the bird’s appearance and its natural environment.
Shutter and Saddle 