baikal seal
Russia’s Lake Baikal has garnered many superlatives: the world’s deepest lake, the largest freshwater lake by volume, and the world’s oldest. It is also one of the clearest bodies of water on the planet and home to many species of plants and animals endemic to the region. One such species is the Baikal seal, known locally as nerpa. It is one of the smallest pinnipeds in the world and is only found in this lake.
Baikal seals are normally very shy, but the young ones are the exception. Nerpa females give birth in March, in snow-covered burrows on the ice. Newborn pups are covered with white fur, are unable to swim and it is impossible to get close without scaring them. But within a few weeks their fur becomes thicker and grey, and the pup is ready to explore the depths of the lake and the magical world below the ice.
Photo art print, unframed, printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Digital Pearl paper with 3cm (1.19in) borders.
“House of Bears” , Kolyuchin Island, Chukotka, Russia.
Shrouded in fog, the remote island of Kolyuchin in the Russian Far East looked eerie and deserted. Suddenly, I noticed movement in the windows. From our small yacht, seeking shelter from the storm, I grabbed binoculars — and the ghostly shapes came into focus: polar bears. Around 20 of them, mostly males, wandered through the abandoned settlement, exploring windows and doors.
Polar bears are naturally curious and opportunistic. While females with cubs stayed near the shore, the males roamed among discarded fuel barrels. Such a gathering is rare here. Most bears in this region follow retreating sea ice further north in summer. But in September 2021, loose pack ice brought them to the island.
Using a drone with low-noise propellers to avoid disturbing them, I captured an image that felt like a glimpse into a post-apocalyptic world — where nature reclaims what humanity leaves behind.
The art print includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Please note that due to white borders, the actual paper size will have an additional 6cm (2,38in) on both the width and the height of your chosen size. These borders will be removed in the framing shop when you will frame the print.
Printed in the UK or Germany, worldwide shipping in a mailing tube via express delivery. From the placement of an order please allow up to 3 business days for processing and printing, around 7 business days for shipping internationally.
If your country is not on the delivery list at check-out, please don’t stress, just shoot me an email - dmitry.kokh@gmail.com
*P.S: Thank you for checking out my shop! Travelling to some of the most remote places on the planet is far from glamorous and can be very, very costly. Your support is crucial in helping me continue this work, which I love, and cherish sharing with you! :)
Framing and custom sizes are available upon request.