 Ancient oak tree trunk. Many oaks in the park are over 200 years old, some dating back to the park s initial landscaping in the 18th and 19th centuries. The gnarled, textured bark and massive girth signify its age and resilience. Northern part of Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Ancient linden alley near the Feodorovsky Gorodok (Fyodorovsky Town) which is a remnant of the park s imperial landscape design. The gnarled, dark trunks of the linden trees (Tilia) create a solemn, cathedral-like atmosphere. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  scenery near the Chinese Palace in the Upper Park. The foreground features a massive, aged oak tree with a prominent hollow in its trunk. This "veteran tree" adds a sense of history and wildness, characteristic of 19th-century English landscape gardens that prized such picturesque imperfections. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025  Ramp Alley (Rampovaya Alleya) whic is a historic avenue in Catherine Park, known for its grand canopy of ancient trees and its connection to imperial history. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Naturalistic path winding through a dense grove of mature trees, including oaks and maples, which display a vibrant palette of ochre, rust, and lime green. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Trees at Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Trunk of a larch tree in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  Birch trees near Lamsky Pavilion in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Sarcodon mushrooms under spruce trees in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Phaeocollybia(?) mushrooms under spruce trees in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  The central alley leading to the Arsenal Pavilion, a red-brick neo-Gothic structure designed by Adam Menelaws. Completed in 1834, the Arsenal resembles a medieval castle with crenellated towers and massive arched windows. It was originally built to house Nicholas I s vast collection of medieval arms and armor. The straight alley is a remnant of the formal layout from the earlier "Monbijou" pavilion that stood here, now framed by the mature trees of the surrounding landscape park. After severe damage in WWII, the building was restored and reopened in 2016 as a museum displaying imperial weaponry. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Close-up of Phaeocollybia(?) mushrooms under spruce trees in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Big Lamsky Pond (Bolshoy Lamskoy Prud), part of a system of ponds originally dug in the early 19th century to drain the park s marshy terrain. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Rusty webcap (Cortinarius)(?) mushroom under spruce trees in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Underside of a rusty webcap (Cortinarius)(?) mushroom under spruce trees in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Young mushrooms Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Caps of mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in 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  Texture of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Close-up of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Oak mazegill mushrooms (Daedalea quercina) on a stump in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea on a cut surface of a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors of maples along Krestovy Canal. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea on logs in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Growth of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Underside of caps of mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa together with Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Trees in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 3, 2016  Maple alley near Chinese Bridges of Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Round patch of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Soft edge of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea with a slug on a cut surface of a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Larch trees in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  Large area covered by corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors at Big Lamsky Pond (Bolshoy Lamskoy Prud). Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Close-up of soft edge of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A poetic tribute "Pushkin was here" to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in Catherine Park. The symbols on the bench carry specific meanings related to his time at the Imperial Lyceum (located just nearby), where he studied from 1811 to 1817. The Bicorne Hat (Cocked Hat): This represents the uniform worn by the students of the Imperial Lyceum. The Open Book: A symbol of his literary genius and his constant immersion in reading and writing poetry, often done while wandering this very park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Forest interior with rich, layered complexity of mixed deciduous plantings. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Mixed forest texture, highlighting the interplay between deciduous and coniferous species. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Texture of large area covered by corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The path, leading northeast from the Big Lamsky Pond, illustrating the transition into the more secluded "wilderness" areas of the park. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Trees near Lower Lamskoy Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 3, 2016  Trees near Vittolovsky Shapel Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 3, 2016  Chromatic diversity of the understory, where native and introduced species create a vibrant tapestry, with complementary contrast between the brilliant, flat yellow of the maple foliage (likely Acer platanoides) and the deep, rosy-pink to burgundy hues of the Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba). Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Trees in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 13, 2016  Maple trees near a foot bridge of Vittolovsky Canal in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  Fall colors of trees near Vittolovsky Shapel Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 3, 2016  Trees in snow in Alexander Park in Pushkin, former Tsarskoe Selo, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, December 27, 2014  The stall labeled "Moskva" that honors a favorite horse of Emperor Nicholas I in Pensioner Stable (Pensionnaya Konyushnya) in Alexander Park, Tsarskoe Selo. This horse, a veteran of military reviews like the one in Elisavetgrad, spent its retirement in the stable built by the Emperor for his own and his predecessor s faithful steeds. The nameplate was reinstated during the 2024-2025 restoration of the pavilion. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Trees near Fermskaya Road in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 13, 2016  Lower Lamsky Bridge (Nizhny Lamskoy Bridge). It acts as a dam between the ponds and the Kuzminka River. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A view to northwest along the Krestovy Canal. The canal leads away from the Cross Bridge towards the northwest, deeper into the park s wooded areas. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Small Lamsky Bridge (Maly Lamskoy Bridge), built in the early 20th century (around 1900) to replace an earlier wooden crossing. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Bolshoy Lamskoy Bridge (Large Lamskoy Bridge) area, which connects the Big and Upper Lamskoy Ponds. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Bark of a larch tree in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  Northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Layered perspective of the Krestovy Canal s Chinoiserie architecture. The Small Chinese Bridge frames the scene with its limestone portico and iron lattice railing (1786). The canal leads the eye directly to the Cross Bridge (1779), its arch rising over the water with the distinct "globular pendant" hanging from the vault. The bridges are aligned along the canal s axis, creating a visual corridor characteristic of the park s "New Garden" layout, emphasized here by the autumnal frame of maple trees. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Caps of northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn near Arsenal in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Caps of northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Monochromatic texture, moving away from high contrast to explore the subtle variations within a single color range. The scene is dominated by a spectrum of yellows, from the pale ochre of the birch leaves to the deep amber of the maples, creating a "wall of gold" that feels immersive and enclosing. The overlapping layers of foliage--dense understory merging into the mid-canopy--eliminate the sky, focusing the viewer entirely on the intricate, lace-like pattern of the leaves against the dark vertical trunks. The reflection in the water breaks these details into impressionistic strokes, blurring the line between the real trees and their mirrored image, much like a watercolor painting where forms dissolve into light and color. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Vittslovsliy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Lamsky Bridge in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Lamsky Pavilion in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Krestovy Bridge in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 25, 2017  Forest near Vittslovsliy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Underside of Sarcodon mushroom in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Chinese and Krestovy Bridges in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Bend of Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Chapelle (Shapel) Tower in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Park fence east from a dam of Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Road to Chapelle (Shapel) Tower in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Maple leaves near Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Rotunda of Chineese Village in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 25, 2017  Granite Grotto near Chapelle (Shapel) in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  North end of Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Aspens at Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Red maple leaves near Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Birch stand near Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Road west from Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis) in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Red leaves of maple near Lamsky Bridge in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Shores of Verkhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Fall colors of Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Bend of Verkhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Chinese Bridges of Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Small (Upper) Lamsky Bridge in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Birch grove near Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Forest near Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Shores near Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Meadow near Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Road near Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Approach to Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  A tree near Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013 | 
