• Tagged aerial, aerial photography, drone photography, photo contest

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]

• Tagged Hundertwasser architecture

Friedensreich Hundertwasser was an artist turned architect at age 55. He spurned traditionally boring 20th century designs, put out manifestos such as one proclaiming Window Rights, pushed his point across by giving lectures in the nude, used bright colors, distorted lines and designed with the desire to be in harmony with nature. Here’s a look at some of creations by the “the doctor of architecture.” [41 Photos]

• Tagged Easter, Hill of Crosses, Lithuania

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]

• Tagged love locks, love padlocks, Valentine's Day

Sometimes when two people are in love and believe in happily ever after, they memorialize that commitment with a padlock, a “love lock” that is; together you lock it, then throw away the key as a symbol of a “forever together until the end of time” love. Some folks love the romantic gesture, while others regard love locks as vandalizing architecture and infrastructure. No matter how many thousands are removed, thousands upon thousands of lovers continue the phenomenon of love locks all over the world. [50 Photos]

• Tagged cityscapes, miniatures, tilt shift

One of the reasons photographers use tilt-shift is to make life-size locations look like photos of miniature scale models. Tilt-shift photography is not only used for miniature faking, but these miniatures reminded us of the song “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” So let’s do some virtual globe hopping to view amazing miniature worlds in which city-scapes appear like toy cities. [60 Photos]

• Tagged cherry blossoms, flowers, Japan, Mount Fuji, nature, Spring, wisteria, wisteria tunnels

If you’ve just been through the mother of all winters, then hang in there. Eventually, all the long hard winters give way to spring. We’ve looked at Europe, where gorgeous bluebells carpet the woods, but winter in Japan gives way to a cheerful springtime bonanza of cherry blossoms. There are also pathways among millions upon millions of exquisite blooms, wonderful hanging wisteria and wisteria tunnels that are like something out of a dream. We hope you like these photos of springtime in Japan. [34 Photos]

• Tagged art, forced perspective, Lego, military, military quotes, military transportation, quotes, tribute, US Military, veteran quotes, Veterans Day, WWII

How do you say thank you to a U.S. veteran? For starters, being thankful for our vets one day a year is not nearly enough. We wanted to honor veterans this Veterans Day with a Lego-like military tribute. It seemed to us that the creators and photographers of these tiny military masterpieces were showing their appreciation of our veterans through art. We mixed in some of the photographers’ description with some quotes to honor veterans, some words of wisdom from Combat for Dummies and some Murphy’s Laws of Combat. So if you are veteran, then kick back, relax and hopefully be entertained by this unique expression of our appreciation. If you know a vet who you’d like to thank, maybe share this with him or her? Happy Veterans Day! [52 Photos]

• Tagged art, artificial reef, artificial reefs, Cancun, diving, environment, Grenada, Jason deCaires Taylor, Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, MUSA, nature, The Silent Evolution, underwater, underwater photography, underwater sculptures, Vicissitudes

Our coral reefs are dying, but forward-thinking eco-minded artists are helping nature by creating stunning life-sized sculptures . . . and then sinking them. Man has been creating artificial reefs for thousands of years, starting with the Ancient Persians who wanted a military advantage by blocking off an area of the sea. As mankind has evolved, so too have our artificial reefs. The most amazing consist not of our trash or out-dated ships, but of incredibly detailed sculptures created to be placed underwater and slowly but surely undergo a metamorphosis under the sea. While it may look like abandoned statues starting to decay, it is actually art being rebirthed into living, breathing reefs. If you haven’t had a chance to dive or snorkel such locations, then you are missing out. So here is a look at the eerily beautiful process of spectacular art, underwater sculptures, transforming into artificial reefs. [52 Photos]

• Tagged architecture, historic photos, Lady Liberty, monument, rare historic photos, statue, Statue of Liberty, UNESCO World Heritage Site, US National Monument

For 127 years, she’s watched over and welcomed people to the USA. Officially, her name is ‘Liberty Enlightening the World,’ but most call her the Statue of Liberty or Lady Liberty. She is surely America’s most iconic statue. Lady Liberty is made from 300 copper sheets, suspended from a steel framework, which have naturally oxidized over the years making her appear green. She is 151 feet tall, standing on a 65 foot concrete and granite pedestal upon a courtyard shaped like an 11-pointed star. Located on Liberty Island, Lady Liberty calls out, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.” On July Fourth, America’s 237th birthday, Lady Liberty reopened to the public. Here are some rare and historic photos and fun facts, mixed in with stunning shots of the Statue of Liberty. [55 Photos]

• Tagged fireworks, Fourth of July, Happy Birthday America, holiday, Independence Day, July Fourth

July Fourth, the day Americans celebrate their independence from that place across the pond. God bless America. Happy Independence Day! [21 Photos]

• Tagged architecture, Bellagio Fountains, Bellagio Fountains facts, Bellagio Fountains show times, Bellagio Fountains songs, Bellagio Resort & Casino, Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas, musical fountains, Vegas Strip

People go to Las Vegas for all sorts of reasons, but everyone wants to see the beloved and world-famous Fountains of Bellagio, the most popular free attraction on the Vegas Strip. There’s a reason that crowds are dazzled by watching the water dance. Bellagio’s iconic fountains are an engineering marvel, 8 acres of water, nearly 5,000 lights, and a fog system to help set the mood, as 1,200 water-shooting nozzles create a magnificent ballet of dancing fountains choreographed to music. Whether it is your first visit or your thousandth time to watch the show, there’s something magical about the Fountains of Bellagio.
[35 Photos, 9 Videos]

• Tagged flowers, holiday, meaning of rose colors, red roses, roses, Valentine's Day

Roses have been around for about 32 million years and it’s too true that “The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.” Roses are especially romantic, but if you ever give roses to someone, do you select the color based on that person’s favorite color, or yours? Or do you select roses based on the meaning and symbolism of the rose color? After hopping around on the web, it’s a bit confusing when you consider the diversity of meanings that rose colors can symbolize. Maybe if you can’t afford real roses, then you can send someone special this wide variety, a rainbow of colored virtual roses? [35 Photos]