Baikal is the lake of superlatives: the world’s deepest lake, largest freshwater lake and one of the clearest lakes on the planet. Baikal is home to many species of plants and animals which are endemic to the region.

My goal was to find and photograph Baikal seals, locally known as nerpas, underwater, in their natural environment – not many people have done it before, and I really wanted to show others the pristine beauty of this place and its inhabitants. I already tried it 2 years ago, in November, and haven’t succeeded: the lake freezes around mid-January, and it was quite difficult to find nerpas in open water. Being way too shy, they ᴅιsᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ at the edge of sight.

Driving on ice in search of seals

Hours of searching can be exhausting even for the toughest ones

Pulka next to the supposed burrow

Ceiling and walls of ice underwater

Clouds of ice formation

Baikal seal pup up close

A very peek-a-boo moment

A very cuddly-looking fella

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