Alexey Kharitonov's Image

Alexey Kharitonov (Israel/Russia) catches morning sunlight framing cotton grass and pine trees, as mist rises from the still waters.

The Boloto Ozernoe nature reserve is a special place for Alexey.

On this trip he returned morning and evening to enjoy its beauty. He first came to the nature reserve six years ago, a time when he described it as “untouched by the modern world”.

Hidden from view are specialist swamp dwellers such as sphagnum moss, sundews and marsh rosemary. Elk and wild boar live here too, but they are not always easy to see.

Beyond the small reserve, new roads and holiday homes are under construction. According to Alexey, so far the reserve is largely untouched, though residents of neighbouring villages occasionally ride all-terrain vehicles on it, leaving bare ruts in the vegetation.