Golden light along a quiet road in Warta-Widawka Landscape Park — a reminder that even the roughest paths can lead to the most beautiful views
Sometimes the best detours happen when you least expect them. On this autumn afternoon in central Poland, I set out for a short bike ride — nothing ambitious, just a chance to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the fading warmth of the season. There’s a road I usually avoid: uneven, cracked asphalt, not exactly friendly to bike tires. But that day, I turned onto it anyway.
A quiet forest road framed by golden birch trees — a final burst of autumn color before winter
Each season brings its own beauty to photograph — from frozen mornings to vibrant spring greens — and I truly enjoy capturing them all. In winter, when the world slows down, I build my fitness on the indoor smart trainer, but I still take my camera for walks, searching for quiet, muted tones.
Three roe deer in the evening light — photographed during a late-autumn cycling trip. The golden hour glow added warmth and texture to the scene
Late autumn often brings the best kind of light for photography — low, soft, and full of warm color. During one of my short cycling trips, I noticed three roe deer standing in a freshly ploughed field. The sun was setting, and the orange tones of the soil and the trees in the background created a beautiful golden hour atmosphere. It was one of those moments when everything aligns into a simple but effective wildlife composition.
A quiet forest path glowing with golden and red hues during Poland’s autumn
As part of my “From the Road: Stories & Photos” series, I often look for those fleeting moments when nature seems to pause — when color, light, and stillness align just right. This time, I found it on a quiet forest path during Poland’s golden autumn, where every shade from deep red to glowing yellow created a perfect seasonal harmony.
Horses playing in the golden hour light of an autumn evening
Golden autumn evenings offer some of the best light for outdoor photography. The low sun wraps the landscape in warm tones of gold and copper, creating a perfect atmosphere for portraits and nature shots. On this particular evening, the light filtered through birch leaves and reflected beautifully on the coats of two horses playing on a forest path. I also took a calmer portrait of a single horse, but the dynamic frame with two horses captured the energy and emotion of the season perfectly.
Turquoise waters framed by pine trees, leading toward a rugged mountain under a cloudy sky
It was a warm but comfortable day in the mountains — drifting clouds above, sunlight shimmering across a turquoise mountain lake below. From the pine-lined shore, the view unfolded in perfect harmony: emerald needles in the foreground, crystal-clear ripples glowing in shades of blue and green, and the rugged slopes of the mountain rising with quiet authority. Nature didn’t need grandeur to impress; the balance of colors and textures spoke for itself.
Still stones and soft streams — a mossy forest scene from Lower Silesia, where long exposure brings movement and texture into quiet balance
Some places in the forest don’t stand out at first glance. No dramatic cliffs, no golden skies — just quiet textures, cool light, and the sound of water slipping over stone. This photo comes from one such spot: a shallow stream tucked into a mossy hollow, where the rocks seem to have been resting for centuries and the water moves as if time doesn’t quite apply.
A curious red squirrel pauses on a tree trunk, its expressive stance and fluffed tail highlighted by the morning light
Sometimes the best shots aren’t planned — they’re stumbled upon. This image came about during a casual bike ride through the woods, camera slung over my shoulder more out of habit than expectation. Then, I spotted it: a red squirrel midway down a tree trunk, frozen in a moment of curiosity. Its ears stood tall, tail arched like a plume, and it looked directly toward the lens. It was a quick shot — barely time to think, let alone prepare — but something about that posture, that alert stillness, demanded to be captured.