Category: nature

Bizarre Yet Beautiful Badlands: Hidden Gems In New Mexico’s Wilderness [52 PICS]

August 6th, 2015 Permalink

When you think “alien” and New Mexico, Roswell might come to mind, but “alien” in this case is about 5 and a half hours away in the little known New Mexico Wilderness areas of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah and Bisti/De-Na-Zin. The rock formations are fantastic and surreal, alien in appearance, and the area is full of dinosaur bones and other fossils. Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area has over 6,500 acres, including the Valley of Dreams, and the nearby Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness has more than 41,000 acres; all are remote and full of colorful hoodoos, pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, canyons, washes and other bizarre formations laid out in a remote maze. Those who brave the wilderness may not see another soul during their adventure, but they are rewarded by seeing some of the most unusual scenery and incredible landscapes in New Mexico; it is a photographer’s dream shoot location. [52 Photos, 1 Video]

Stars in the Valley of Dreams, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness in New Mexico

Magnificent Milky Way from the Valley of Dreams, a hidden gem within the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area. These bizarre yet beautiful badlands are located in northwestern New Mexico. This stunning shot was captured at the GPS coordinates of 36.141132, -107.976894. Photo #1 by John Fowler

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30 Drone Aerial Photo Contest Shots That Rival Iron Man’s View

July 23rd, 2015 Permalink

When it comes to privacy, there are plenty of arguments to make against drones; yet it’s hard to make a case against the awesomeness of photos and videos captured by drones. Some droners take dronies — the drone photo equivalent to selfies — but drone photographers give us aerial views that rival the view of even superheroes like Iron Man and Superman. You’re probably familiar with Instagram, but what about Dronestagram? These fabulous bird’s eye shots were but a few of the entries from the more than 5,000 drone aerial photos submitted by professional and amateur drone photo enthusiasts in Dronestagram’s 2015 Drone Aerial Photography Contest. Thank you to all the photographers who captured these shots by potentially risking their ludicrously expensive drones and cameras. [30 Drone Aerial Photos]

Dronestagram first place winner in Category Nature Snorkeling with sharks

Using a “custom” drone and a camera listed as “other,” the photographer captured first place in Dronestagram’s nature category. “Snorkeling with shark – Wild nature in french Polynesia.” The photographer added, “This picture was a magical moment; we realized this image with our exclusive partner Tim McKenna photography in a shooting session for an international brand. The photo was taken on the island sister of Tahiti, Moorea. The conditions were perfect and we were fortunate that sharks arrived at the perfect time. The Mana, the Polynesians spirit, was with us for each aerial shooting.” Photo #1 by © Tahitiflyshoot

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Sensational Isle of Skye [50 PICS]

July 21st, 2015 Permalink

Scotland’s Isle of Skye, aka “Island of the Mist,” beckons to nature-loving adventurers, climbers and photographers. Behold it’s almost mystical appeal for yourself. [50 Photos & 1 Video]

The Quiraing, Skye

The Quiraing, Skye Isle in Scotland. Photo #1 by © Robert White

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Grass Roofs Across the Globe [54 PICS]

April 16th, 2015 Permalink

If it is springtime where you live, then it’s time to start mowing the grass again. Can you imagine if you also had to control the grass growth on your roof? Sod roofs have been around for about a thousand years out of necessity; in modern times, living green roofs have become more popular again by environmentally conscious people. However for many people, grass roofs are not something you see every day. If that describes you, then here’s a big collection of grass roofs from around the globe. [54 Photos]

Grass roofs on wooden houses in Tysfjord, Norway

Grass roofs on wooden houses in Tysfjord, Norway. Sod roofs, or grass roofs, were traditional types of Scandinavian green roofs. Photo #1 by hqwalls

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Hill of Crosses: Lithuanian Landmark, Story of Hope, Defiance, Faith & Freedom [PICS]

March 27th, 2015 Permalink

Nearly 185 years ago, Lithuanians placed the first crosses on this hill which has become a sacred pilgrimage site. After researching the Hill of Crosses, we’d like to tell you the story of the people and site as it’s become a symbol of hope, of religious perseverance, of faith and even of freedom for Lithuanian people. [65 Photos]

Hill of Crosses on a sunny day

Hill of Crosses on a sunny day in Lithuania. Some estimates say there are 100,000 crosses on this hill, but that seems like a low estimate for this pilgrimage site that is packed with crosses, statues, carvings, rosaries and other offerings and mementos. Photo #1 by Expectmohr

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Pretty Pink Lakes Across the Globe [54 PICS]

March 24th, 2015 Permalink

We are more than ready for Spring, which made us think of pink spring colors, which led to the phenomenon of pink lakes. It’s not a Photoshop trick, but a phenomenon; the water is actually pink. In fact there are several pink lakes scattered across the globe, but they are comparatively rare. While it may depend upon where you live, most of us don’t see lakes filled with pink water on a daily basis. If that’s true for you, then here you go. [54 Photos, 1 Video)

Sunset on salty Pink Lake

There are several pretty pink lakes scattered across the globe. The reason for the color, usually algae, may seem less romantic. While it may depend upon where you live, most of us don’t see lakes filled with pink water on a daily basis. Photo #1 by hqwallbase

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Stunning Colors of Remote Red Land: Slice of Photography Heaven in China [36 PICS]

March 17th, 2015 Permalink

Have you ever run across a photo and thought, Wow, that’s beautiful! Where is that? Well this is ‘Red Land,’ sometimes ‘Red Earth,’ and it’s an unusual and very remote area in China. Photographers love it, so it’s no longer a secret, but it’s definitely off the beaten track and amazingly picturesque. [36 Photos]

Dongchuan Red Land in Yunnan China

Dongchuan Red Earth, a rural area in Yunnan, China, that has captured the hearts of some photographers. Photo #1 by absolutechinatours

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Gorgeous Green Lake in Austria is a Fleeting Underwater Fairy Tale [32 PICS]

February 27th, 2015 Permalink

Green Lake has been called the “diamond gem” in Austria’s crown due to the natural phenomenon that occurs every spring when the snow melts off the surrounding rugged mountains and park benches, flowers, footbridges, trees and walking paths disappear under water. The very cold but crystal clear water becomes a hot spot for divers who want to experience the exquisite and otherworldly scene. [32 Photos, 3 Videos]

Green Lake underwater bridge

This is Grüner See (Green Lake) in Austria where every spring the ice and snow on the mountaintops melt and part of the park goes underwater; this is when the scuba divers have underwater adventurers where visitors in winter would be walking on dry land. The photographer wrote, “Two weeks ago I was able to walk over this bridge … now everything is under about 6°C (42.8°F) cold water.” Photo #1 by Wolf-Ulf Wulfrolf

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Bewitchingly Beautiful Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri [32 PICS]

February 19th, 2015 Permalink

Bewitched by the otherworldly beauty and glowing blue waters in the Blue Grotto sea cave, we scoured the web looking for more. We found out it was a favorite spot for a Roman emperor, has inspired artists for hundreds of years, and has become a huge tourist attraction on the Isle of Capri. [32 Photos]

Grotta Azzurra

Once upon a time, or the 1st century A.D., Roman Emperor Tiberius retired to the Isle of Capri, Italy, and used this beautiful Blue Grotto, a sea cave, as his personal swimming pool. Emperor Tiberius loved the Blue Grotto so much that it was his favorite nymphaeum, a temple dedicated to sea nymphs…also described as a sanctuary for water nymphs. Photo #1 by Luftphilia

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50 Exceptionally Beautiful Auroras [PICS]

January 22nd, 2015 Permalink

Since we last covered Amazing Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis in 2011, many photographers have braved extremely cold temperatures to capture swirling Northern Lights dancing across the heavens. Here are some of those exceptionally beautiful auroras that you can enjoy from the warmth of your chair instead of the snowy wilds. [50 Photos, 3 Videos]

Standing at the Edge of the Universe

Standing at the edge of the universe as auroras dance across the sky. Photo #1 by David Taylor

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Magnificent Mount Etna Volcano Roaring Lava [42 Photos]

August 19th, 2014 Permalink

Mount Etna, one of the 17 Decade Volcanoes and Europe’s tallest active volcano, has been putting on a great show. Adrenaline-seeking tourists have been getting up-close and personal for the rumbling and lava spewing spectacle in Italy. Even the astronauts aboard the ISS have taken note and grabbed some stunning shots. Here’s Mount Etna…[42 Photos]

Mount Etna lava fountain, August 2014

After rumbling for months, Mount Etna is spewing molten lava like in this lava fountain taken in August 2014. Photo #1 by Davide Nicotra

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Bizarre but Beautiful Pancake Rocks & Blowholes in New Zealand National Park

July 18th, 2014 Permalink

On the edge of the New Zealand’s Paparoa National Park, you can walk among bizarre rock formations, many that resemble stacks of pancakes. The Tasman Sea surges into undercut cavities, booms, and then seawater geysers shoot through blowholes, making the spectacular natural attraction of blowholes in Pancake Rocks a “must see” at high tide and/or storms. [45 Photos]

Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki

The west coast of New Zealand is famous for its unique natural attractions of “Pancake Rocks” and blowholes, making Dolomite Point in Punakaiki “a must see” when visiting the southern island’s coastal region. Photo #1 by Christian Mehlführer

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