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.
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.
Wildflowers and a limestone ridge reflected in a turquoise pool — a scene reminiscent of Mediterranean summer landscapes
During a quiet summer ride, I came upon a small, turquoise pool reflecting wild shrubs and vibrant pink blossoms. Behind them, a flat-topped limestone ridge stood steady, like a giant’s table overlooking the valley.
Vivid oleanders in the foreground, Roman arches in the distance — a natural frame linking past and present
There’s something timeless about ancient ruins that have stood for centuries — silent witnesses to civilizations long gone. On a recent trip, I came across an ancient Roman aqueduct, its majestic arches stretching across the hills as if still carrying water from distant mountains. In the foreground, bright pink oleander blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, offering a vivid contrast to the weathered stone. Together, they created a natural frame — the fleeting beauty of the present embracing the enduring architecture of the past.
A vibrant shop window display of ceramics, fabrics, and ornaments — colors enhanced and softened with a dreamy glow
There are certain streets where you can’t help but stop — not because of the traffic or the crowds, but because a window calls you in. This shop was one of those places: packed from floor to ceiling with ceramics, fabrics, pillows, ornaments, and paintings, each one bursting with its own personality. The scene felt alive, but the photo straight from the camera looked flat and distracted by reflections on the glass.
The half-timbered exterior of the Church of Peace in Jawor gives little hint of the Baroque splendor hidden inside
Cycling through Lower Silesia is like pedaling through the pages of a living history book. Around every bend, you’ll find a medieval castle, a cobblestone old town, or a sweeping mountain vista.
Yet few sights compare to the Church of Peace in Jawor. From the outside, it resembles a large, modest half-timbered barn. But step inside — and you’re greeted with a Baroque explosion of color, carvings, and paintings. The contrast is so striking it leaves even seasoned travelers speechless.
Wild goats navigating steep rocks under the ancient walls of Alanya Castle
A solitary wild goat standing confidently on a cliffside near Alanya Castle
Amid the dramatic cliffs and the timeworn fortifications of Alanya Castle in Turkey, I stumbled upon a small herd of wild goats navigating the rocky slopes with astonishing ease.
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.
A turquoise ribbon cuts through parched hills as oleanders bloom by the roadside — a spontaneous moment of stillness and color
Some landscapes don’t shout — they hum. This one, nestled in the sunbaked folds of southern Europe, revealed itself not with grandeur but with quiet harmony: parched hills layering into the distance, a serpentine road, a turquoise river gliding below, and a burst of pink oleanders in the foreground.
Palm trees line the harbor at sunset as boats rest in the calm waters — a golden hour moment on a peaceful Mediterranean coast
This sunset scene felt almost too perfect to be true — a peaceful harbor lined with palm trees, still water gently holding anchored boats, and warm golden light bathing everything in calm. I arrived at just the right moment, when the sun dipped low and the bay shimmered with color. The symmetry of the palms and the glowing sky made me pause, raise the camera, and take the shot. Sometimes, photography isn’t about chasing the perfect light — it’s about being ready when it finds you.
One of Poland’s countless roadside shrines — hidden in the woods, wrapped in flowers, and rooted in centuries-old tradition
Scattered across the Polish countryside — at crossroads, deep in forests, or standing quietly beside rural paths — you’ll find them: roadside shrines, known in Polish as kapliczki. These small sanctuaries take many shapes, from wooden boxes nailed to ancient trees to hand-built brick chapels and flower-draped niches carved into stone. What they share is more than appearance — they embody centuries of faith, memory, and connection to the land.