Russian photographer Alexey Trofimov describes Baikal Lake as “a pearl that requires no polishing.” It holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest, largest, purest, and deepest freshwater lake. During the winter, when temperatures plummet well below zero, the crystal-clear lake water freezes into magnificent, gem-like ice that sparkles in the sunlight.
Due to the uneven freezing of the lake’s surface, some ice blocks are pushed upward, creating stunning natural sculptures. Trofimov has made multiple visits to the lake to capture these “gems” in all their magnificent splendor.
Trofimov has a number of photography projects that capture Lake Baikal in various seasons. The photographs are available on his website.