Laskovy Beach and Gulf of Finland in Solnechnoe, a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 19, 2011
A pond on a beach of Gulf of Finland near Solnechnoye, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 26, 2003
A beach of Gulf of Finland in Peterhof, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 27, 2004
Gulf of Finland from Laskovy Beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 5, 2013
A beach of Gulf of Finland near Solnechnoye, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 26, 2003
Granite stones on a beach of Gulf of Finland in Tarkhovka Park near Sestroretsk, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 22, 2017
Laskovy Beach of Gulf of Finland in Solnechoe, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, February 15, 2017
Birch trees on Laskovy Beach of Gulf of Finland in Solnechoe, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, February 15, 2017
Gulf of Finland and a beach in Sestroretsk at windy day. Near Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 1, 2001
Beach of Gulf of Finland near Komarovo, 25 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 16, 2014
Morskie Dubki Beach and Gulf of Finland from Novotsentralnaya Street in Lisiy Nos, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 1, 2017
Stony beach of Gulf of Finland in Tarkhovka near Sestroretsk. West from Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 15, 2017
Stony beach of Gulf of Finland in Tarkhovka Park near Sestroretsk, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 22, 2017
Boulders on a beach of Gulf of Finland in Tarkhovka Park near Sestroretsk, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 22, 2017
Sand ripples on a beach of Gulf of Finland in Solnechnoe, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 17, 2021
Gulf of Finland coastline, with shallow waters and glacial boulders. Behind the rocky beach, there is a zone of Common Reed (Phragmites australis), which is ubiquitous along the Neva Bay coast. The trees include Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)--the tall conifer with orange bark on the right--and Black Alder or Birch, which are typical for these damp, sandy soils. The pines here are often twisted by the strong westerly winds. Tarkhovka Park near Sestroretsk, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 3, 2025
Serene autumn scene at Laskovy Beach (Russian: Laskovyy Plyazh) in the settlement of Solnechnoe, located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Saint Petersburg. Laskovy Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Kurortny District of Saint Petersburg. The name "Laskovy" translates to "Affectionate" or "Tender," while the settlement name, Solnechnoe, means "Sunny". This area has a rich history as a summer resort destination; formerly known as the Finnish village of Ollila, it became a hub for St. Petersburg s intelligentsia and dacha owners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The image shows a trio of birch trees with vibrant yellow and orange leaves, which is characteristic of the "Golden Autumn" season in the Leningrad Region during early-to-mid October. The golden leaves contrast strikingly with the blue sky and the dark blue waters of the Gulf. The large white concrete sphere on the sand is a landscaping feature. Russia, October 9, 2025
Presence of a dead gull on a beach in the Gulf of Finland near Solnechnoe, that is most likely linked to the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, specifically the H5N1 strain, which has devastated wild bird populations in the Baltic region throughout 2023-2025. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
View towards Repino from the Laskovy Beach area in Solnechnoe highlighting a transition in the coastal landscape of the Gulf of Finland, marked by rugged natural textures and distinct geological features typical of the Karelian Isthmus shoreline. Unlike the wide, smooth sandy expanses of the main Laskovy Beach, the stretch towards Repino is characterized by a "stony belt" of glacial boulders and pebbles. The rocks visible in the shallow water and on the sand--primarily rapakivi granite and gneiss--are glacial erratics left behind by retreating ice sheets. Their reddish and grey hues (wet from the waves) contrast sharply with the rust-colored sand. Several hooded crows (Corvus cornix) are visible foraging along the shoreline. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Graffiti series, located on the concrete retaining wall separating the beach from the promenade along the Gulf of Finland (near the Sestroretsk Resort or "Kurort" area) which is a fanciful and nostalgic mural composition featuring whimsical animals and nature motifs. It is a more abstract section, featuring dynamic bursts of color (yellow, orange, and white) that resemble explosions, splashes, or perhaps stylized sunbeams breaking through clouds. These bright, energetic forms add a sense of movement to the otherwise static scenes. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Graffiti series, located on the concrete retaining wall separating the beach from the promenade along the Gulf of Finland (near the Sestroretsk Resort or "Kurort" area) which is a fanciful and nostalgic mural composition featuring whimsical animals and nature motifs. This segment shows a yellow-orange cat perched comfortably on a tree branch. The surrounding trees are depicted with vertical, textured strokes, suggesting a dense birch or pine forest typical of the Karelian Isthmus. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Graffiti series, located on the concrete retaining wall separating the beach from the promenade along the Gulf of Finland (near the Sestroretsk Resort or "Kurort" area) which is a fanciful and nostalgic mural composition featuring whimsical animals and nature motifs. This section features a large bear with a cub, rendered in a sketch-like style with soft shading. The bears are set against a background of rolling green hills and a cloudy sky, evoking a gentle, fairytale forest atmosphere. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Graffiti series, located on the concrete retaining wall separating the beach from the promenade along the Gulf of Finland (near the Sestroretsk Resort or "Kurort" area) which is a fanciful and nostalgic mural composition featuring whimsical animals and nature motifs. A distinct horizontal band runs across part of the mural, depicting a long, grey commuter train (possibly an elektrichka) traveling through a green landscape. This element likely references the vital railway connection between St. Petersburg and the resort towns of the Kurortny District, a familiar sight for locals and visitors. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
