There is something timeless about the act of ascending a viewing tower — a quiet promise of perspective, both literal and metaphorical. On a bright Sunday, with the sun generously spilling its warmth, my wife Dorota, our faithful Shih Tzu Monty, and I set out to experience the vistas from Wieża Widokowa w Wiśle Małej.
The climb itself is a slow unfolding of anticipation. Each step creaks underfoot, the wooden railings worn smooth by countless hands, while the scent of pine from the surrounding forest drifts up in waves, mingling with the occasional whiff of earth warmed by sunlight. Monty, ever the vigilant scout, bounded ahead, ears flopping, nose twitching, stopping periodically to offer a joyful bark or a puzzled tilt of the head at some hidden scent only he could perceive.
As I raised my camera to capture the sprawling landscape, I was reminded of the old maxim: “A change in vantage point changes everything.” From that elevated perch, the patchwork of fields, forests, and distant hills seemed to whisper stories of endurance and timelessness — a landscape shaped by history, yet alive in the present moment. Villages nestled in valleys, rooftops catching the sun’s gentle glow, and the winding ribbon of a river all combined into a scene both grand and intimate, as if the world had paused just for us to notice.
Dorota’s quiet appreciation of the view, the soft smile that never left her face, and Monty’s curious sniffing of the breeze made me reflect on the importance of shared experiences. In a world that often rushes headlong into the future, there is great value in pausing to observe and appreciate the now — the light on a leaf, the shape of a cloud, the subtle nuances of a familiar place seen anew. The experience felt like a gentle conversation between nature and ourselves, a reminder that even the simplest moments can carry a profound sense of connection.
Photography, to me, is more than the act of taking pictures; it is an exercise in mindfulness. It forces one to slow down, to see deeply, and to remember that beauty and meaning are often found in the quietest of moments. Every click of the shutter becomes a meditation, a way of honouring the fleeting interplay of light and shadow, of motion and stillness, of time and memory.
This sunny Sunday at Wieża Widokowa w Wiśle Małej was a gentle reminder to rise above the everyday and seek perspective, not just through the lens of a camera, but through the eyes of those we hold dear. As we descended the tower, the warmth of the sun lingering on our skin, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude — for the landscape, for the simple act of observing it, and for the shared company that makes each vista more vivid, each memory more enduring.
Our visit to the observation tower in Wisła Mała was more than just a climb — it was a journey into the heart of the landscape. From the 15-meter height, we were greeted with panoramic views of Lake Goczałkowickie, the artificial bird island known as Ptasia Beczka, and the surrounding wetlands. The tower, inaugurated in 2023, serves not only as a vantage point for visitors but also as a vital tool for ornithologists and conservationists monitoring the area’s unique ecosystems. To see all the photographs from this visit, visit the full ‘Wieża Widokowa w Wiśle Małej’ gallery.
