Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) In early spring leafless purple stems bearing scale-leaves appear from the heavy clay or gravel ground by the rivers and on wastelands. In a matter of a couple sunny days they stretch up in length and the tip buds open up in yellow flowers resembling dandelions or daisies. The leaves appear in late spring. If you kneel down and smell the flower, you will immediately feel its herbal fragrance. By no coincidence coltsfoot has once been used in unconventional medicine as a popular remedy for cough. The very name tussilago from Latin tussis, meaning cough, and ago to act, speaks for itself. Whole flowerstems were cut up and put in honey to produce a syrup for cough, cold and other diseases. The plant usually grows in large colonies on heavy, greasy and moist clay soils by the rivers and on wastelands in Europe and in north-west Asia. It is believed to be a pioneer plant which with its roots and rhizomes prepares the soil for the introduction of new plants.
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Spring in Poland is the best time of the year to make observations of owls. It is breeding season for owls - they become significantly more active at night and it is easy to hear their screams in parks and forests or, if you are lucky, even see them. I was lucky enough to identify the presence of two owls on trees this year and even make some photos of them. These were my first free-living owls I have seen in my life. Juvenile tawny owl or brown owl (Strix aluco). April 23, 2018. Otrębusy, Poland Female tawny owl or brown owl (Strix aluco). April 22, 2018. Otrębusy, Poland RECOMMENDED A film about owls of Poland illustrated with photos by the Polish nature photographer Artur Tabor The official opening of the blueberry and mushroom season! Polish forests abound in blueberries, mushrooms and other goodies. It is the best time to explore the wilderness! A good reason to get dirty! Bilberries also start to appear And finally... mushrooms! Handfuls of all these goodies await for you in Polish forests! Go for it!
FIRST DAY OF SPRING
Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Lent, marks the end of the Carnival in Poland. It is one of the most important holidays in February in Poland. On that day most Poles buy or make doughnuts, in Polish called pączki [pronounciation: ponchcee]. Pączki similarly to dougnuts are deep-fried pieces of dough shaped into flattened spheres and filled with confiture or other sweet fillin, and covered with powdered sugar, icing, glaze or bits of dried orange zest. Angel wings, in Polish most commonly called faworki [pronounciation: fawvorcee], are an alternative to pączki to those who prefer a lighter kind of pastry. This traditional sweet crisp pastry is made out of dough that has been shaped into thin twisted ribbons, deep-fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The Polish word "faworki" may refer to colourful ribbons attached to either female or male clothing, especially ribbons given to medieval knights by their ladies. Etymologically the word "faworki" came to Poland from the French word faveur, meaning "grace" or "favour". The Polish word "chrust" means "dry branches broken off trees" or "brushwood". The beautifully twisted raw ribbons of faworki just before frying Faworki - sprinkled with powdered sugar and ready to eat! Pączki during frying! Contrary to faworki, making pączki is not as easy as pie! A good recipe is a must! The pączki on the image above were not a 100% success; they rather remind of the their historcially most primitive version; though, they are filled with rose jam, which makes them absolutely irresistable!
December is certainly this month of the year, when frosts become not only severe, but also visible. In very special circumstances they take the sublime form of the so called window ferns, flowers or trees. Such views become less and less popular as Polish houses become warmer thanks to technological innovations. All it takes to watch this unique spectacle of nature is to find a house with old-fashioned windows. Let me also label window ferns with the badge POLISH ACCENT.
October in Poland. Though usually rather cool, rainy and cloudy, sometimes can suprise with sunny weather and decent temperatures, but what makes it most attractive is the overwhelming blaze of colors. One of the many secluded paths in the Polish forests at the epicenter of the explosion of colors. Personally, the amazing flora of this place reminded me of Kurosava films. I could imagine a Japanese samurai waiting behind one of the colorful bushes only to block your way. These leaves were so fiery orange-red I guess the million colors of the camera's matrix were just not enough to catch it. And now imagine a group of horsemen walking down this path. Quite a cinematic experience! You can also have it, if only you visit the horseriding association Stowarzyszenie Jeździeckie "Szarża" in Brwinów, Poland. If you do it soon, you might still make it for this remarkable views!
If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ September is one of my favorite months of the year when it comes to the possibility of collecting apples. There are many old wild apple trees in Poland from which you can collect apples absolutely freely. They are often what remained from old apple orchards. Paradoxically these apples, even if they are small, can be very tasty, much tastier from those one can buy in the market place or in shops. Some of these apples can also be of a very good variety. Generally if I were to fill the gap in the following statement "Poland is a land flowing with...", I would say apple juice for sure. There are many companies in Poland that produce good apple juices. My favorite one is "Owoc Sandomierski". If you ever bump into a cardboard or juice with the following label, you have to try it! It's simply the best! 100% satisfaction! Lately I was also surprised to discover a small apple orchard right in the center of Warsaw. In the shadow of the famous Palace of Culture and Science. Impressive, isn't it? If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
August in Poland. Mimosas in full bloom. In Poland we often say that "Autumn starts with mimosas". Mimosas is a colloquial term for goldenrods. The plants you can see on the photo above. The words come from a love poem by Polish poet Julian Tuwim; however, most people associate it rather with its musical interpretation by one of the legends of Polish music Czesław Niemen. The title of the song is "Wspomnienie" [trans. by the author: A Memory]. Enjoy! If you liked this post, let me invite you to my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
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POLAND FOR BEGINNERS
Hi! My name is Victoria. Welcome to my personal travel photoblog about Poland created especially for you, my foreign friends, who are curious about Poland!
ABOUT MEEnglish philologist and film editor by education. Translator by occupation. A lover of my motherland Poland and globetrotter with journalist ambitions. Passionate about photography. I love traveling, active way of spending time and contact with nature. Experience and explore - that is what drives me! I am on the look for happy islands. Archives
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VICTORIA TUCHOLKA |
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