2012
The press service of the Bryansk Forest Nature Reserve reported that warm winter temperatures and heavy precipitation in the Bryansk forests precipitated a premature awakening of Gonepteryx (Brimstone) butterflies; they usually hibernate until early spring.
18 January 2012
RIA-Novosti
undated (2000s?)
undated (1910s)
Beslan (Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. North Caucasian Federal District). RF
Melikhovo (Chekhov’s country estate, now a museum-park) (Moscow Oblast. Central Federal District). RF
Unidentified Location in the RF
Bryansk (Bryansk Oblast. Central Federal District). RF
Bryansk (Bryansk Oblast. Central Federal District). RF
Suzdal (Vladimir Oblast. Central Federal District). RF
1996
Kuznetsk (Penza Oblast. Volga Federal District). RF
Myshkin (Yaroslavl Oblast. Central Federal District). RF
Myshkin (Yaroslavl Oblast. Central Federal District). RF
The Transfiguration is one of the Major Feasts of the Church, it falls in the mid-point of the Assumption Lent, but it’s celebrated well (perhaps, more so than the Assumption is, interestingly enough). Fruits are blessed at the festal liturgy, particularly apples, hence the popular name “Yablochny Spas” (Apple Spas… “Saviour’s Apple Day”).
BMD
2011
A local Bryansk volunteer group, the Centre of Youth Initiatives (Центр молодежных инициатив) held a photo contest that found the longest icicles in Bryansk Oblast, Yelena Sorokina, a spokesman for the organisation, told RIA-Novosti. This was the first year for this unusual photo contest in Bryansk. Anyone could take part in it; they didn’t need to be local residents. However, the organising committee considered only those photos shot in the Bryansk area from 28 January to 4 February 2011. All winners of the contest won free tickets for the Зимний (Zimny: Winter) Skating Rink. According to Ms Sorokina, the largest number of photos for the competition from came from Volodarsky Raion in Bryansk. One of the locals there, 22-year-old Sergei Novikov, discovered incredibly long icicles on several homes.
10 February 2011
RIA-Novosti
http://eco.rian.ru/ecocartoon/20110210/332705079.html
Editor’s Aside:
I do believe that innuendo crosses linguistic barriers… “Ours is longer!” Hmm… that could mean only ONE thing to people who are suitably dirty-minded… do remember, I’m an open and unrepentant Chubby Brown fan!
BMD
Voices from Russia 
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