Frozen Balaton: Swans, Skates, and Sunset Colors

Some days feel simple in the best way: good company, a camera in hand, and a place that surprises you even when you think you already know it. That’s exactly what happened when we went down to Lake Balaton with friends who love photography just as much as I do..

This time, Balaton looked completely different. The water was frozen, and the lake turned into a huge open space full of life. Many people were out ice skating, families were walking together, and the whole shoreline had that cheerful winter buzz.

Even with so many people around, nature didn’t feel distant at all. The birds were surprisingly calm—clearly accustomed to humans—and that opened up a lot of opportunities for photography. I spent a good part of the afternoon watching and photographing mute swans up close, catching those small gestures that make them feel so elegant: the slight curve of the neck, the quiet confidence, the way they glide even on ice-edged water. I also spotted common pochards, and it was a joy to capture them in this winter setting.