Estonian nature today
Estonian nature is beautiful and diverse. Within few hours ride by car can take us from primeval forest to sandy beach or from coastal meadows to raised bog. Seasonal changes complement landscape diversity. The same place may be unrecognizable at different seasons. Because of that nature photography flourishes in Estonia - we have nature to photograph and we have many very good nature photographers. When the world’s most prestigious nature photo contest, Wildlife Photographer of the Year received more than 43000 photos in 2009, then the analogous contest in Estonia, Annual Nature Photo received over 12000 photos.
The present exhibition shows Estonian nature through three seasons, from the beginning of May to the end of October. We change the photos twice a month and in total we display 36 photos.
Enjoy the photos and welcome to Estonian nature!
Arne Ader, Meelis Kivirand, Jaak Põder, Sven Zacek, Urmas Tartes, Remo Savisaar, Mati Kose
May begins
Green world expands vigorously. Anemones and hepaticas display under forests and bird cherry crown is full of white flowers spreading pleasing scent around. Animals and birds enjoy this time.
Squirrel has breakfast. Arne Ader
Anemones in spring forest. Meelis Kivirand
Bird cherry blooms. Meelis Kivirand
May ends
One can find places almost free of human interference in Estonia. Primeval forests offer suitable habitats to animals preferring to keep distance from humans.
Owl chickens in nest cavity. Jaak Põder
Brook in forest. Sven Zacek
Brown bear. Sven Zacek
June begins
Millions of flowers bloom on meadows. Floral diversity has been evolving because of human activity - annual scything keeps trees from growing and flowers have just time to rejoice us before hay is cut. Insects have much to do - all blooms must be pollinated. Birds find insects and seeds to eat.
Weevil in wild strawberry flower. Urmas Tartes
Sea of daisies. Arne Ader
Goldfinch. Remo Savisaar
June ends
June is known for its northen white nights. Dusk instantly follows dawn. Glow-worms light the time between. It is the time of charming nights, time to find friends and time to be with friends.
Glow-worm. Mati Kose
June night at Holy Lake (Pühajärv). Arne Ader
Kingfisher at sunset. Sven Zacek
July begins
North-Estonian cliff is a nature landmark joining many Baltic sea nations - Russians, Estonians and Swedes. We hope, that soon it will get its deserved place in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Limestone is the national stone of Estonia.
Predatory mite in seaweed mound. Urmas Tartes
Pakri cliff. Meelis Kivirand
Gull chicks on stone. Jaak Põder
July ends
Sunsets become ever more colourful after midsummer. It is the time, when we all like to walk on beaches, enjoy the spelling light and freedom. Bird feathers decorate weakly seashore plants - gulls are moulting.
Black-headed gull. Remo Savisaar
Sunset at seashore. Remo Savisaar
Memory from common gull. Arne Ader
August begins
Finally, water in the sea is warmest and it is pleasant to rest on the beach and observe cumuli. Migratory birds start to appear on seashore - they look for a meal on seaweed mounds or in reeds.
Dunlins between waves. Remo Savisaar
Windy sea. Sven Zacek
Reed aphids. Urmas Tartes
August ends
Pink heather blooms stretch under pinewoods and berries and mushrooms ripen. Pines are most abundant trees in Estonia. We call ourselves are forest people. Forests have fed and cared of us for thousands of years.
Cowberries on cup lichen. Urmas Tartes
Heath pinewood. Arne Ader
Springtail under Rufous Milkcap. Urmas Tartes
September begins
September the month of fogs. After cold nights often landscapes are wrapped into fog in mornings. Estonian National bird - barn swallow soon flies to South-Africa.
Barn swallow. Jaak Põder
September light. Arne Ader
Roe deers. Remo Savisaar
September ends
Raised bogs are special to Estonian nature. Bog-pools are most colourful in Autumn. Crane berries, laying on sphangnum, are waiting to be eaten. Occasionally calls of migrating geese fill the otherwise silent air. Here are miraculous places to seek for silence, to breath clean air and look into yourself.
Crane berries. Arne Ader
Kuresoo raised bog. Mati Kose
Spider in web. Urmas Tartes
October begins
Deciduous trees get colourfully dressed. Landscapes have great colour symphony in offer. Animals prepare themselves for wintering. Mushrooms are in peak in forests.
Yellow-necked Mouse under rain of leaves. Arne Ader
Autumn colours in forest. Sven Zacek
Forest of mushrooms. Urmas Tartes
October ends
Millions of migratory birds fly over Estonian shoreline. They use coastal areas to rest and brace themselves for the rest of their journey. Leaves are falling from the trees and weather gets colder and colder. Water in pools gets covered with thin ice. Soon white winter covers our nature.
Scud on seaweed mound. Jaak Põder
Migrating swans. Arne Ader
After first frost. Arne Ader