Blooming thyme (Thymus serpyllum, Russian name Chabrets) on roadside in a forest in Petiayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 17, 2015
Flower of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara, Russian name Mat I Machekha) in a forest near Komarovo, 25 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2016
Common pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris, wind flower, meadow anemone, prostrel or son trava in Russian) in a pine forest on a sand hill near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 15, 2019
Group of false morel mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta, Russian name Strochok) in a forest near Lenin Trail in area of Razliv near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 21, 2019
Ugly Milk-cap mushroom (Lactarius necator, Russian name Chorny Gruzd) in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Spring flower of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara, Russian name Mat I Machekha) among dry leaves in a forest near Komarovo, 25 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2016
Purle flowers of common pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris, wind flower, meadow anemone, prostrel or son trava in Russian) in a pine forest on a sand hill near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 15, 2019
Purle flowers of common pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris, wind flower, prostrel or son trava in Russian) in a pine forest on a sand hill near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 15, 2019
Woolly (bearded) milkcap mushroom (Lactarius torminosus, Russian name Volnushka) in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Milk Cap mushrooms (Lactarius rufus, Russian name Gorkushki) among moss in a forest between Orekhovo and Lembolovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 30, 2010
Painting of pine forest in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 11, 2012
Ugly Milk-cap mushroom (Lactarius necator, Russian name Chorny Gruzd) among dry leaves in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Scorpionfly and a fly on flowers of yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Russian name Tysiachelistnik) in a forest in Posiolok, near Vyritsa, 50 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 9, 2016
Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella, Kislitsa in Russian) carpeting a forest in Lomonosov (Oranienbaum). West from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 23, 2011
Blueberry (bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, Russian name Chernika) in a forest in Posiolok, near Vyritsa, 50 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 9, 2016
Brown birch bolete mushroom (Leccinum scabrum(?), Russian name Podberiozovik) in moss in a forest between Orekhovo and Lembolovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 30, 2010
An edible mushroom Boletus edulis (Belyi Grib, in Russian) with a toadstool in a forest 5 miles east from Orekhovo - Sosnovo, 40 miles north from Sankt Petersburg. Russia, October 19, 2000
Fruits of cowberry (lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Russian name Brusnika) on a forest cutting west from Kannelyarvi, 40 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 7, 2012
Fruit of Wild Strawberry (Fragaria, Russian name Zemlianika) in a forest north from Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 11, 2010
An edible brittlegill mushroom (Russula, Syroezhka in Russian) in a forest near Toksovo, 10 miles north from Sankt Petersburg. Russia, September 27, 2000
Widespread Milk Cap mushroom (Gor kushka in Russian) in a forest near Toksovo, 10 miles north from Sankt Petersburg. Russia, September 27, 2000
Fly agaric mushroom Amanita muscaria (Mukhomor in Russian) in a forest near Toksovo, 10 miles north from Sankt Petersburg. Russia, September 27, 2000
Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum, Russian name Chabrets) in a forest north from Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 11, 2010
Wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa, Russian name Vetrenitsa Dubravnaya) carpeting forest in Dubki Park. Sestroretsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 19, 2011
An edible mushroom (Mokrukha? in Russian) in a forest near Toksovo, 10 miles north from Sankt Petersburg. Russia, September 27, 2000
Fruits of common blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus, Russian name Chernika) in a forest north from Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 11, 2010
Young orange aspen bolete mushroom (Leccinum aurantiacum, Russian name Podosinovik) in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Bay bolete mushroom (Imleria badia, Boletus badius, Xerocomus badius, Russian name Polsky Grib) in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Brown roll-rim mushroom (Paxillus involutus, Russian name Svinushka) in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Velvet bolete mushroom (Suillus variegatus, Russian name Mokhovik) in a forest around Kavgolovskoe Lake, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2013
Orange cap Bolete mushroom (Leccinum vulpinum, Russian name Podosinovik) in a forest in Petiayarvi, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 17, 2015
Slow worm reptile (Anguis fragilis, Russian name Veretenitsa) in a forest in Posiolok near Vyritsa, south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 21, 2015
Hairy wood-rush (Luzula pilosa, Russian name Ozhika) in a forest near Komarovo, 25 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2016
Late blooming coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara, Russian name Mat I Machekha) in a forest near Komarovo, 25 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2016
Yellow flower of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara, Russian name Mat I Machekha) in a forest near Komarovo, 25 miles north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2016
Glossy leaves of asarabacca (Asarum europaeum, Russian name Kopyten) in a forest in Posiolok, near Vyritsa, 50 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 9, 2016
Umbellifer Angelica sylvestris (Russian name Dudnik) in a forest in Posiolok, near Vyritsa, 50 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 9, 2016
Unripe green cowberry (lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Russian name Brusnika) in a forest in Posiolok, near Vyritsa, 50 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 9, 2016
Stinking russula mushrooms (Russula foetens, Russian name Valuy) in a forest in Alexander Park in Pushkin, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 31, 2016
Dark red brittlegill mushrooms (Russula, Russian name Syroezhka) in a spruce forest west from Kavgolovskoe Lake near Toksovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 1, 2017
Cranberry (Oxycoccus palustris, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Russian name Kliukva) on a forest cutting near Vyritsa, 50 miles south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 10, 2017
Large group of red brittlegill mushrooms Russula paludosa (Russian name Syroezhka) on a slope in a spruce forest west from Kannelyarvi, 45 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 31, 2018
Blooming common pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris, wind flower, prostrel or son trava in Russian) in a pine forest on a sand hill near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 15, 2019
Common pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris, wind flower, prostrel or son trava in Russian) in bloom in a pine forest on a sand hill near Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 15, 2019
False morel mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta, Russian name Strochok) in a forest near Lenin Trail in area of Razliv near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 21, 2019
Shaggy scalycap mushrooms (Pholiota squarrosa, Russian name Cheshuychatka) in spruce forest in Posiolok near Vyritsa, south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 16, 2016
Marasmioid mushrooms Mycetinis scorodonius (Russian name Chesnochnik) near a tree in a coastal forest between Lisiy Nos and Olgino, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2018
Blue flower of Hepatica (Pechonochnitsa in Russian) in a hazelnut forest on a slope of Orekhovaya Gora Hill in Duderhof Heights, south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2021
Lungwort (Pulmonaria obscura, Russian name Medunitsa) in a hazelnut forest on a slope of Orekhovaya Gora Hill in Duderhof Heights, south from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 9, 2021
Common yellow spring flower of coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara, Russian name Mat I Machekha) on roadside in a forest between Lembolovo and Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 11, 2021
Pink flowers of spurge laurel (Daphne mezereum, Russian name Volchye Lyko) in a forest between Lembolovo and Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 11, 2021
Close-up of pink flowers of Daphne mezereum (Russian name Volchye Lyko) in a forest between Lembolovo and Orekhovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 11, 2021
Wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa, Russian name Vetrenitsa Dubravnaya) carpeting forest in Niznie Dubki Park near Lisiy Nos, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 14, 2021
False morel mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta, Russian name Strochok) in a burned spruce forest in Zakhodskoe (Lounatjoki), 50 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 15, 2021
Flowers of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Russian name Toloknianka)) in a pine forest on Leninskaya Tropa Trail between Dibuny and Razliv Lake, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 24, 2021
Glacial erratic (a large granite boulder) left behind by the retreating Scandinavian Ice Sheet over 11,000 years ago. The inscription ":041d:0415:0422 :0412:041e:0419:041d:0415" (pronounced Net Voyne), meaning "NO TO THE WAR," is a direct political protest against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Activists often paint this slogan in forests, on snow, on frozen rivers, or in elevators to avoid CCTV cameras and police patrols found in city centers. This stone serves as a quiet but firm artifact of internal resistance, standing in the silent forest just kilometers from the station and the dacha community. Kannelyarvi, north from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1, 2025
"Section 69 A" marker within the "temporary" burial sector, where fresh earthen mounds stretch toward a forested perimeter, contrasting the ordered numbering system with the raw immediacy of mass death. A solitary mourner in a green coat stands quietly by a cross, tending to flowers amidst a sea of Russian tricolors and unit flags, including the blue and yellow banner of the Aerospace Forces, adding a human scale to the vast, impersonal landscape of casualties. The scene highlights the rapid expansion of the cemetery, with the dense rows of wooden crosses indicating the continuous flow of new burials. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
Classic "Northern Russian" mixed woodland representing a managed semi-natural mixed forest in transition, view from Alley of the Green Woman in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025
Rebuilding of the Forest Building (Russian: Lesnoy Korpus) in a major reconstruction project at the historic Sestroretsk Resort (Sestroretsky Kurort). The original Sestroretsk Resort was a famous health spa complex founded in 1898 by engineer Peter Avenarius. It featured several grand wooden structures, including a massive Kursaal (concert hall), a mud bath facility, and the Forest Building. The resort was a hub for St. Petersburg s elite and intelligentsia in the early 20th century. The original Forest Building was a beautiful wooden hotel and sanatorium building constructed in the early 1900s. It was a key part of the ensemble but was destroyed during World War II. The new structure faithfully replicates the "Northern Art Nouveau" style of the original resort architecture, characterized by its complex roofline, spires, towers, and wooden detailing that harmonizes with the surrounding pine forest and dunes. The exterior appears nearly complete, showing the elaborate wooden facade, the large central dome, and the corner towers with their needle-like spires. The scaffolding indicates that finishing work is still in progress. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Naturalistic style of the English landscape garden, which dominates the areas surrounding the formal canals, with rich textural contrast between the golden maples and dark evergreen firs, creating a painterly composition typical of 19th-century Russian park design. The untamed, wilder growth of the underbrush and tall grasses contrasts with the manicured lawns found elsewhere, evoking a sense of romantic melancholy suited to the "golden autumn" season. The dense, layered foliage creates an intimate, enclosed space that feels removed from the grand palace architecture, focusing entirely on the mood of the forest. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
This scene showcases a sophisticated understanding of color layering in landscape design, using native species to create depth. The distinct red-purple haze of the Red-barked dogwood (Cornus alba or Swida alba) in the foreground acts as a grounding base, contrasting sharply with the luminous yellow of the maples and the vertical white lines of the birch trunks behind it. The dogwood s dense, fine twig structure (which turns vibrant blood-red in winter) adds a chaotic, bushy texture that complements the more open, airy canopy of the deciduous forest. This composition highlights the transition of seasons; while the canopy glows with "golden autumn," the understory dogwood is already revealing the red bark that will provide visual interest throughout the snowy Russian winter. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
The textural complexity of the park s planting, which moves beyond simple color contrast. The towering, evergreen spruces (likely Norway spruce) act as dark, architectural columns that anchor the scene, breaking up the horizontal sweep of the deciduous canopy. Their deep, somber green provides a necessary counterpoint to the "burning" oranges and yellows of the maples and birches, preventing the scene from becoming visually flat. The untouched, grassy banks and fallen logs floating in the water reinforce the "wild forest" illusion (a deliberate design choice known as paysage), evoking the moody, introspective landscapes of Russian Realist painters like Shishkin or Nesterov. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Layered complexity of the mixed deciduous forest in Alexander Park. The image is a study in yellow, dominated by the luminous canopy of Norway maples and silver birches. The rough, dark bark of the oaks and maples provides a strong vertical rhythm that cuts through the delicate, hazy texture of the foliage. The white, paper-like bark of the birch trees adds a secondary visual accent typical of the Russian landscape. The composition includes a rich understory of turning shrubs--likely hazel or young rowan--which adds density and depth, grounding the soaring trunks in a thicket of earthy reds and browns. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Rustic, three-arched stone bridge (often referred to as the Ruin Bridge or simply the stone arch bridge) in the "Russian Switzerland" area in Oranienbaum s Upper Park. Built from rough-hewn boulders to mimic a natural or ancient ruin, it harmonizes perfectly with the wild, rugged aesthetic of the Karasta River valley. The bridge spans a small ravine or tributary, surrounded by a golden forest of birch and maple trees that soften the stone s heavy appearance with delicate autumn foliage. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025
