Golden Lanterns

The first day of summer is the perfect excuse to share a few shots from a lush green forest.

On the road, I almost always turn toward a pine grove if I spot one — especially when a sunlit clearing suddenly opens between the trunks. Once, the forest was exactly like that: slender young pines, soft morning light, and a thick green carpet of grass dotted with dozens of yellow flowers.

These flowers are called Asian globeflowers. Locally, we often call them Zharki (meaning little fires) or Siberian roses. In early June, they bloom in abundance, as if someone had scattered tiny golden lanterns across the forest floor. Against the dark pine trunks, they stand out vividly, though they can be surprisingly hard to notice from a distance.

Unfortunately, globeflowers are becoming rarer every year. Many people still pick them for bouquets, even though they look far better right where they grow — among the pines and fresh summer greenery. In places like this, it feels natural to leave them undisturbed and take only photos.

And these are the shots I wanted to share with you today.

Southern Urals, Russia.
June, 2018.
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