Statue of a woman sitting on a tree stump in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 11, 2012
Shaggy Scalycap mushrooms (Pholiota squarrosa, Russian name Cheshuychatka) under a nut tree in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2016
Brittlegill mushroom (Russula, Russian name Syroezhka) on a tree stump near Kavgolovskoe Lake in Toksovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 24, 2016
White flowers of Viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree, gordovina in Russian) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2009
Shaggy Scalycap mushrooms (Pholiota squarrosa, Russian name Cheshuychatka) growing at a base of a tree in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 18, 2013
Marasmioid mushrooms Mycetinis scorodonius (Russian name Chesnochnik) taken from a base of a tree in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 16, 2016
Fruits of Viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree, gordovina in Russian) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 22, 2013
Blooming Viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree, Russian name gordovina) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2009
Green flowers of spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus, Russian name Beresklet) in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarsoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2014
Blooming Mountain Ash (rowan tree, Sorbus aucuparia, Russian name Ryabina) in Lembolovo, 40 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 12, 2009
Shaggy Scalycap mushrooms (Pholiota squarrosa, Russian name Cheshuychatka) at a tree base in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 20, 2013
Viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree, Russian name gordovina) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 28, 2011
Red immature berries of Viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree, gordovina in Russian) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 22, 2013
Coral mushrooms (Ramaria eumorpha, Ramaria invalii, Russian name Rogatik) under spruce trees in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 22, 2016
Bay bolete mushroom (Imleria badia, Boletus badius, Xerocomus badius, Russian name Polsky Grib) found in a cavity at a base of a tree in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 23, 2016
Coral mushroom (Ramaria eumorpha, Ramaria invalii, Russian name Rogatik) under spruce trees in area of Old Sylvia in area of Old Sylvia in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 28, 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
Religious and symbolic narrative of sacrifice, featuring a granite monument with an elaborate engraving of a soldier ascending a staircase toward a welcoming Christ-like figure and a birch tree, blending Christian theology with Russian nationalism. The epitaph laments, "You loved life... But the thread was cut too soon," emphasizing personal loss alongside martial duty. In the background, a chaotic array of VDV (Airborne Forces) and Russian flags flies over rows of fresh, temporary graves, contrasting the permanent serenity of the foreground monument with the raw immediacy of ongoing casualties. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 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
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
Tunnel-like quality of the linden alley, a hallmark of 19th-century Russian park design. The interlocking branches of the mature linden trees (Tilia) form a "gothic arch" overhead, completely enclosing the path. This creates a sense of protection and separation from the outside world, which aligns with the secluded, monastic theme of the nearby Feodorovsky Gorodok. 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
Upper Park s "Russian Switzerland". A majestic, deep green spruce tree in the foreground provides a striking vertical anchor, contrasting sharply with the soft, hazy backdrop of golden maples and oaks that line the riverbanks. The shallow, rocky riverbed is visible through the clear, dark water, with scattered boulders breaking the surface, enhancing the "mountain stream" illusion intended by the landscape architects. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025
