Photos of Amazing Switzerland

The Magnificent Matterhorn.  Freezing cold temperatures, the ground wet with freshly fallen snow (there was a blizzard 30 minutes before we took the cog wheel train to the summit) but none of that is noticed when you turn around and gaze at this iconic symbol of Switzerland.  (Yes, this is also the inspiration for Toblerone candy.)  Eventhough the Matterhorn is not the highest point of this mountain chain, it looks to be because of the lower lying mountains surrounding it.   Standing across from the Matterhorn, trying to imagine what went thru the minds of the original explorers who took on the task of trying to climb this treacherous peak.  Which way to go?  Am I ready to die to climb this peak?  Do I go up the cliff side or the glacier side?  These are the questions that run thru your mind as you are standing at the top of the observation point surrounded by a glacier and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the world.   A photo just does not do it justice.

The Swiss countryside.  The best milk producing cows in the world for chocolate- the Swiss Browns- spend their time roming the countryside, climbing the mountains in search of the best grazing fields.  A picturesque countryside- quiet, relaxing.  The only sounds that you hear are the melodic bells of the cows echoing down from the hillside where they spend their lazy summer days. 

The sunlight filtering thru the clouds, creating patches of light and shadow, highlighting the beautiful expanse of Swiss landscapes that create some of the most beautiful, calming sights I have ever seen that just beg to be photographed.

Unusual Photo from Greece

Mykonos, Greece-   A picture perfect island, drenched in sun, beautiful blue sky, pristine white buildings, and what else would make this sight even more perfect?  To see octopus hanging from a ship- of course.  The story the fishermen told was that they caught the octopus, beat them 40 times against rocks (to vent the frustration given to them from their mothers-in-laws) and hung them up to dry. 

Unique Rocks of Switzerland

What cataclysmic event occured to cause these unique rocks?  I just had to take photos of these rocks.  And the most interesting thing is that the colored vein is of a totally different make-up than the main part which leads one to wonder what happened millions of years ago during the formation of this area.

These two photos are different since there is really only one colored vein, albeit different colors, running thru the rocks.  What caused the different colors to occur?  What caused the almost perfectly straight line?  Nature is totally amazing and so full of answers that we will never know.

Stave Churches of Norway

The Stave Churches of Norway are beautiful pieces of architecture- and also becoming very rare.  The construction of these churches is most unique.  The corners of the buildings are solid poles and the walls are slats which are held together by the poles.  It is a true honor to photograph these structures  which have stood the test of time by the most simple of measures. 

The most uniqes aspect of these churches is their architecture which makes them most interesting to photograph.  The stave churches are similar in structure but also very different as is evident in these photos.  Some have high peaks, some are more simple, some are small while others are large, and some are elaborate with arched walls but they all have the common thread of being built for one purpose- religious beliefs.

Going Behind the Waterfall

What is more breathtaking than a photo of a towering waterfall?  Going behind that waterfall- of course.  Photos of this waterfall in Iceland show how amazingly powerful nature can actually be.  The roar of the waterfall, the power of the spray, and the unique perspective of seeing a waterfall from behind cannot truely be captured in a photo- but it does serve well as a reminder of how spectacular nature can be. One also remembers how precariously perching on a slippery narrow ledge, without any railings, can be just to get some amazing photos- or how much fun it was.

Photos of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Mexico is a country that is just teeming with photo possibilities and the temple of Chichen Itza is one of the most recognizable images of Mexico.  It is a picture perfect structure that has stood the test of time.  There are many other photo ops in Mexico that it is hard to choose- so why pick just one? 

Move from the jungle where temples pop up out of nowhere and you arrive at the coastline area where pristine beaches just beg for a photo.  This photo is at Tulum, just below the main temple.

Photos of the Temple of Apolo, Greece

Have you ever explored Greece in the rain???  These photos of the Temple of Apolo show that beauty can come in any light.  From the misty skies to the patches of sun, weather can create a whole new experience in photos.  Some of my most favorite photos to take are of ruins, especially those that have such a historical and mythological past.

Beautiful Sunset

What is more relaxing than a beautiful sunset?  And a sunset on the water is even more beautiful.  The color palate of golds, reds, pinks, and purples- the reflections in the water- are truly a sight to behold.  And it is especially amazing that the colors change so quickly (this sunset changed colors in about 15 minutes).

Autumn in New England

Autumn in New England is a beautiful site to behold.  The crisp air, the rainbow of colors, and the beautiful scenery are truly unique.  When wondering around New England, there is a sense of calm, a chance to relax.  Feeling the history of the area coming thru and speaking to you, you begin to wonder what the area was like in the early stages of our nation.