The Curonian Spit that connects Russia with Lithuania is one of Europe’s 10 best beaches, according to Lonely Planet. Leonid Sokolov is 70 years old, and 2019 marks the 45th year of his work on the beautiful beach as a scientist. Every winter and spring, he comes to a biological station, named after a bird, to capture and mark migratory birds. He spends most of his day recording information about nature. Writing and noting the migration routes of feathered creatures, Sokolov says communicating with nature brings him joy.