Kalmykian steppe.

Steppes are open, there is no shelter for a human or animal. It is a not an easy place to live. At nights it's freezing cold, and during the day, the heat of sun is interlaced with cold winds.

Above is a photo of local shepherd.  Below is this morning view, full of tulips.

Today is April 19th, day 9th of my expedition.

Originally posted at http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/180756.html and http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/181116.html.

Two villages are so different, but still in one country.

It has been just one week since I left home for this expedition. I took the top photo after my first overnight stop not far from Orlovskoe Polesye National Park. 

Bottom photo is from this morning in the steppe of Kalmykia. The tulips are blossoming! 

Elista.

In the middle of the day today I made it to this southern city, Elista, and did my grocery shopping. After that I headed to the steppes, to wild tulips, 100 km away from the city. Just before going to bed, I found out that 3G internet is working well here. Stay tuned for tomorrow report!

Originally posted at http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/180363.html

Sunrise in Voronezhskiy Nature Reserve.

Early morning in high spring waters at Voronezhskiy Nature Reserve (Воронежский Заповедник). The snow is gone, fresh air is filled with birds' love songs... First spring flowers are covering the forest floor... Wonderful and happy morning for me...

Originally posted at http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/180114.html

Bisons in Orlovskoye Polesye National Park.

First night I spent in Orlovskoye Polesye National Park (Национальный Парк Орловское Полесье). There, I was entrusted to feed supplement food to wild bison population. It is the most amazing feeling to be surrounded by these ancient animals. However, I had to escape to the roof of the truck from them: they are no bears, I don't know what to expect from them :)

Bisons were reintroduced to this area in 1996, and now mostly wild population is around 200 bisons. These animals gather for the supplemental food during harsh winters. Read more about this park in my earlier story here: http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/110621.html

Originally posted at http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/179780.html

Photo from the road.

First two days I was mostly driving; landscapes are passing by my windshield. Sometimes, the view outside catches my eyes, and I have to stop my truck to take a picture. Like this village in Bryansk Region called Krasnyi Kolodets (Красный Колодец - Red Well in Russian)...

Right now I made it to Voronezh Oblast.
Originally posted at http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/179558.html

I am on my way to a dream expedition!

Since my childhood I had a dream to travel across Russia recording the beauty of wild nature... Today I am starting a journey of my dreams. It is planned to take 3 years for me to go in this car above from Western border of Russia to far East, all the way to Kamchatka and back. The photo above is taken by my brother, Nikolay Shpilenok. I am leaving my home Nature Reserve - Bryansky Forest.

At first I will be heading south to catch wild tulips blooming. Blossom of millions of wild tulips in steppes is one of the most spectacular nature event I have ever seen. I plan to participate in First Tulip Festival in Kalmykia, organized by nature activists. It will take place from 20th to 30th of April and everyone is welcome to join!Read more about this event here: http://wildlifetravel.livejournal.com/18950.html

You can read more about my expedition here and here. And below are the photos from my previous, one month long expeditions around my home in Western Russia. Photos are by Nikolay Shpilenok.

Originally posted at:
Уже в дороге! 
I am on my way.
http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/179355.html
Приезжайте на фестиваль тюльпанов в Калмыкии!
Join me at Wild Tulips festival in Kalmykiya! 
http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/179162.html
Почему в этом году я не полечу на Камчатку.
Why am I not flying to Kamchatka this year.
http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/177800.html
Живет во мне мечта...
I have a dream...
http://shpilenok.livejournal.com/105836.html