Russian wild life photographer Vladimir Medvedev was named winner of the UK-based BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the most prestigious wildlife photo contest that showcases the world's most astonishing and challenging natural sights. Medvedev's works do not just showcase nature, but transmit its mood, the natural harmony of colors, light and unusual weather phenomena in the form of art.
In the end of February Vladimir plans to hold an exhibition of his award-winning photos in Moscow. Take a look at these breath-taking images now in Sputnik's photo gallery.
In the middle of summer, the warmest southern slopes of volcanos are covered with a bright floral carpet.
Moss-covered craters are surrounded by lava fields, which formed as a result of a massive eruption of the Tolbachik volcano in 2013.
Gannets and other sea birds settle on a rocky island in the Pacific Ocean.
A bird's-eye view of craters. Red rocks show through a layer of black ash forming sculpturesque patterns on the earth’s surface.
Wide Pacific surf runs on the smooth sand of Halatyrsky beach.
Dry plants on the volcano’s slope, the eruption of which caused their death.
General view of the crater of Gorely volcano (1829 meters).
A volcanic bomb is a lump of glowing lava ejected during eruption. Its weight may reach up to tens of tons.
Vilyuchik (Vilyuchinskaya Sopka) is a volcano with a proper classic cone. It is one of the most well known volcanos on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
A double rainbow is seen over a forest, which died during a volcanic eruption in 1975.
In some areas of Kamchatka, snow does not melt even in the middle of summer. Moss is the only flora in these regions.
The ascent of Mutnovsky volcano is one of the most spectacular climbs in the world.
The caldera of Gorely volcano has a diameter of 12 kilometers. This entire place was once the crater of an ancient super-volcano.
Black volcanic sand is a distinctive feature of Halatyrsky beach.
