I hate winter. I hate snow. I hate cold.
But, I have to admit that there are some beautiful sides to winter and I especially enjoy seeing some rare sights. Like Vransko jezero lake – Croatia’s largest natural lake – being completely frozen. A very rare event!
So, yesterday afternoon, my friend took me and my son to the lake for some cold weather hiking. It was way bellow freezing with strong bura wind cutting cold air into our faces.

Our first stop was the ornithological observatory just at the very shore of the lake. We did not expect to see any of many thousands of birds as they were hiding in the bushes (or whatever this marsh grass is called). But we did see some small mice jumping on ice and trying to find a warm spot underground.

We saw numerous footprints from birds of all sizes.

And the lake is almost completely frozen!

By that time we were already seriously freezing so we decided to go to one more spot on the former shore of the lake and hurry home.

I guess if it continues this way, the birds will have to look for some place further south as this winter is anything but normal Dalmatian winter. Last year we had almonds in bloom and this year we have ice… Still, traveling in Croatia is always different. That’s what I love about my country!