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Highlights 2010-2013

159 images Created 15 Feb 2016

Below are Tom Dempsey's portfolio highlights from 2010-2013.

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  • Predjama Castle (Slovene: Predjamski grad or Grad Predjama, Italian: Castel Lueghi) is a Renaissance castle rebuilt within a cave mouth in the historical region of Inner Carniola, south-central Slovenia, Europe. The castle was first mentioned in the year 1274 with the German name Luegg, when the Patriarch of Aquileia built the castle in Gothic style. The present castle was rebuilt in 1570 in Renaissance style by baron Philipp von Cobenzl. It was later acquired and expanded by the Luegg noble family, also known as the Knights of Adelsberg (the German name of Postojna). Predjama village is 11 km from Postojna and 9 km from Postojna Cave.
    13SLO-2195_Predjama-Castle_Slovenia.jpg
  • In Slovenia, the wonderful self-guided Part 2 of Skocjan Caves walking tour follows the mysterious Reka River from Mala Dolina (Small Doline, a sinkhole) through Mahorcic Cave (Mahorciceva jama) upstream underground for 350 meters over exciting bridges and dimly lit passages. From a large-scale karst drainage, the Reka River has carved and dissolved dramatic subterranean passages through limestone over several million years. Karst topography is a geologic formation of dissolving bedrock. Our word for "karst" likely evolved from the Slovene noun kras and earlier proper noun Grast, referring to Slovenia's Karst Plateau. Visit Skocjan Caves (Skocjanske jame) Regional Park near Divaca, in the Littoral region of the Republic of Slovenia, Europe. UNESCO has honored Skocjan Caves as a World Heritage Site. This panorama was stitched from 14 overlapping photos.
    13SLO-2173-86pan_Skocjan-Caves-Slove...jpg
  • A pretty waterfall plunges under the natural bridge in Big Collapse Doline (Velika dolina) in Skocjan Caves (Skocjanske jame) Regional Park, Slovenia, Europe. Skocjan Caves feature a river raging through one of the world's largest caverns, waterfalls, speleothems (cave formations such as dripstone: stalactites and stalagmites), and twisty paths through eleven chambers over six kilometers. From a large-scale karst drainage, the Reka River has carved and dissolved dramatic subterranean passages through limestone over several million years. Archaeological finds in Tominceva Cave (Ozka spilja, near the natural entrance of Skocjan Caves) indicate human occupation here from 3000 BC to 1700 BC. Modern tourism began in Skocjan Caves by 1819. Karst topography is a geologic formation of dissolving bedrock. Our word for "karst" likely evolved from the Slovene noun kras and earlier proper noun Grast, referring to Slovenia's Karst Plateau. Skocjan Caves are near Divaca, in the Littoral region of the Republic of Slovenia. UNESCO has listed Skocjan Caves as a World Heritage Site.
    13SLO-2106_Skocjan-Caves-Slovenia.jpg
  • A pretty waterfall plunges under the natural bridge in Big Collapse Doline (Velika dolina) in Skocjan Caves (Skocjanske jame) Regional Park, Slovenia, Europe. Skocjan Caves feature a river raging through one of the world's largest caverns, waterfalls, speleothems (cave formations such as dripstone: stalactites and stalagmites), and twisty paths through eleven chambers over six kilometers. From a large-scale karst drainage, the Reka River has carved and dissolved dramatic subterranean passages through limestone over several million years. Archaeological finds in Tominceva Cave (Ozka spilja, near the natural entrance of Skocjan Caves) indicate human occupation here from 3000 BC to 1700 BC. Modern tourism began in Skocjan Caves by 1819. Karst topography is a geologic formation of dissolving bedrock. Our word for "karst" likely evolved from the Slovene noun kras and earlier proper noun Grast, referring to Slovenia's Karst Plateau. Skocjan Caves are near Divaca, in the Littoral region of the Republic of Slovenia. UNESCO has listed Skocjan Caves as a World Heritage Site. This panorama was stitched from 10 overlapping photos.
    13SLO-2088-97pan_Skocjan-Caves-Slove...jpg
  • Stalactites cling to the ceiling of Schmidt Hall (Schmidlova dvorana), the natural cave entrance which emerges into the collapsed Velika Dolina (Big Doline, a sinkhole), at Skocjan Caves (Skocjanske jame) Regional Park, Slovenia, Europe. Archaeological finds in the adjacent Tominceva Cave (Ozka spilja) indicate human occupation here from 3000 BC to 1700 BC. Modern tourism began in Skocjan Caves by 1819. Skocjan Caves feature a river raging through one of the world's largest caverns, waterfalls, speleothems (cave formations such as dripstone: stalactites and stalagmites), and twisty paths through eleven chambers over six kilometers. The underground walk over Cerkvenik Bridge 50 meters above the rushing Reka River takes your breath away in the huge Martel's Chamber (Martelova dvorana), the highest cave hall in Europe (60 meters wide and 140 meters deep, which looks bigger in the dim lighting). From a large-scale karst drainage, the Reka River has carved and dissolved dramatic subterranean passages through limestone over several million years. Karst topography is a geologic formation of dissolving bedrock. Our word for "karst" likely evolved from the Slovene noun kras and earlier proper noun Grast, referring to Slovenia's Karst Plateau. Skocjan Caves are near Divaca, in the Littoral region of the Republic of Slovenia. UNESCO has listed Skocjan Caves as a World Heritage Site.
    13SLO-2062_Skocjan-Caves-Slovenia.jpg
  • Flowstone formations, Skocjan Caves (Skocjanske jame) Regional Park, Slovenia, Europe. Skocjan Caves feature a river raging through one of the world's largest caverns, waterfalls, speleothems (cave formations such as dripstone: stalactites and stalagmites), and twisty paths through eleven chambers over six kilometers. The underground walk over Cerkvenik Bridge 50 meters above the rushing Reka River takes your breath away in the huge Martel's Chamber (Martelova dvorana), the highest cave hall in Europe (60 meters wide and 140 meters deep, which looks bigger in the dim lighting). From a large-scale karst drainage, the Reka River has carved and dissolved dramatic subterranean passages through limestone over several million years. Archaeological finds in Tominceva Cave (Ozka spilja) indicate human occupation here from 3000 BC to 1700 BC. Modern tourism began in Skocjan Caves by 1819. Karst topography is a geologic formation of dissolving bedrock. Our word for "karst" likely evolved from the Slovene noun kras and earlier proper noun Grast, referring to Slovenia's Karst Plateau. Skocjan Caves are near Divaca, in the Littoral region of the Republic of Slovenia. UNESCO has listed Skocjan Caves as a World Heritage Site.
    13SLO-2008_Skocjan-Caves-Slovenia.jpg
  • Vintgar Gorge (Blejski Vintgar / Soteska Vintgar) is a beautiful canyon of pools and rapids 1.6-km long (1 mile) in Slovenia near the settlement of Zgornje Gorje, four km northwest of Bled, in the Upper Carniola region of Slovenia, Europe. Discovered in 1891, the intriguing gorge has been open for viewing from wooden observation walkways and bridges since 1893. Due to the ancient Bohinj Glacier damming the Radovna River into a lake, the river was diverted from eastward flow to its present northeast course, carving sheer canyon walls 50 to 100 meters (160 to 330 ft) deep through a soft layer of triassic limestone between the peaks of Borst and Hom, and emptying into the Upper Sava River Valley.
    13SLO-1449_Vintgar-Gorge-Slovenia.jpg
  • Pletna boats carry tourists across Lake Bled under the medieval Bled Castle (Slovene: Blejski grad, German: Burg Veldes), which was built a little before 1011 AD on a cliff above the city of Bled, in what is now Slovenia, Europe. The distinctive two-paddle Pletna boats originated in 1590 and can carry 20 people. A colourful awning protects passengers from sun and weather. The respected title of "Pletnarstvo," Pletna oarsman, has been handed down within specific families from generation to generation. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    13SLO-1392-95pan_Lake-Bled-Slovenia.jpg
  • A duck swims across an intricate pattern of leaves reflected in the emerald and blue waters of Lake Bled (Blejsko jezero), in the Julian Alps, Slovenia, Europe. Lake Bled hosted the World Rowing Championships in 1966, 1979, 1989, and 2011. The lake is 35 kilometers from Ljubljana International Airport.
    13SLO-1371_Lake-Bled-Slovenia.jpg
  • The medieval Bled Castle (Slovene: Blejski grad, German: Burg Veldes) was built a little before 1011 AD on a cliff above Lake Bled, above the city of Bled, in what is now Slovenia, Europe. Bled Castle’s chapel was built in the 1500s and renovated around 1700 with illusionist frescoes. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    13SLO-1310-12pan_Bled-Castle-Sloveni...jpg
  • Horses graze in Krma Valley, Triglavski narodni park, near Mojstrana, Slovenia, Europe. Glacially-carved Krma Valley, extends from Mojstrana village to Mount Triglav, in Triglavski narodni park, Slovenia’s only national park. In Krma Valley, hike 5-6 hours/6.3miles one way on a non-technical former packhorse hut-supply route (now supplied by helicopter) from trailhead at 950m to scenic Dom Valentina Stanica / Stanicev Dom hut (2332 meters elevation), 20 km round trip, gaining 4658 feet/1420 meters, or a bit further to spectacular Kredarica Hut (aka Triglav hut / Triglavski dom na Kredarici, Slovenia’s highest hut, 2515 meters). Reservations are highly recommended. Hike to Kredarica Hut via Konjsko Sedlo pass from Krma valley 6 hrs one way, non-technical, 1650m gain, well marked with red signs. Ascent of Mount Triglav is non-technical, but is not recommended for those who fear heights: 1.5 hours up from Kredarica (contrary to 1-hour sign, due to waiting for descenders) and 1 hour back. Or stay in scenic Planika hut, 2401m. In 1991, Slovenia declared full sovereignty from Yugoslavia. 80% of its 2 million people speak Slovene. In 2004, Slovenia joined NATO and the EU (European Union), and later adopted the Euro € currency. Slovenia is the richest Slavic nation per capita.
    13SLO-1259_Krma-Valley-Slovenia.jpg
  • Sunset highlights dappled white cloud pattern in blue sky above Slovenia, Europe.
    13SLO-1227_clouds.jpg
  • On a sunny day, hike from the end of the road in Vrata Valley to see Mount Triglav, in Slovenia, Europe. Mount Triglav (9396 feet) is the highest peak in the Julian Alps, which were named Julius Caesar, who founded some nearby cities. The scenic Vrata valley extends from Mojstrana village through a mixed forest of beech, spruce and fir, along crystal clear Triglavska Bistrica creek, to the north face of Triglav, in Triglavski narodni park, Slovenia’s only national park. In 1991, Slovenia declared full sovereignty from Yugoslavia. 80% of its 2 million people speak Slovene. In 2004, Slovenia joined NATO and the EU (European Union), and later adopted the Euro € currency. Slovenia is the richest Slavic nation per capita. This panorama was stitched from 10 overlapping photos.
    13SLO-1111-20pan_Mt-Triglav-Slovenia.jpg
  • Pericnik Waterfall plunges 52 meters (170 feet, not counting an upper cascade), in Vrata Valley, near Mojstrana, Slovenia, Europe. A fun trail passes behind the falls through a cave. The scenic Vrata valley extends from Mojstrana village to the north face of Triglav, in Triglavski narodni park, Slovenia’s only national park. In 1991, Slovenia declared full sovereignty from Yugoslavia. 80% of its 2 million people speak Slovene. In 2004, Slovenia joined NATO and the EU (European Union), and later adopted the Euro € currency. Slovenia is the richest Slavic nation per capita. The panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    13SLO-1082-87pan.jpg
  • Saint Sylvester's Chapel (San Silvestro) in Vallunga is dedicated to the patron saint of cattle and contains 300-year-old frescoes (depicting the life of Jesus), in Val Gardena, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, Europe. Vallunga/Langental valley is preserved in Puez-Geisler Nature Park. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Dolomites, in the South Tyrol region (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-50542-45pan_Vallunga_Dolomites.jpg
  • Walk an idyllic path in Selva di Val Gardena village beneath Langkofel/Sassolungo peak on your way to Vallunga, in the Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, Europe. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Dolomites, in the South Tyrol region (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) of Italy, Europe. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-50431_Langkofel-Sassolungo-Dol...jpg
  • A bee gathers nectar and pollinates a purple knapweed flower (Centaurea genus), at Passo Cibiana, Dolomites, part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Italy, Europe. Centaurea is a genus of hundreds of species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants (commonly called knapweed, starthistle, centaury, or centory) in the family Asteraceae. Centaurea are found only north of the equator. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-50305_bee_Centaurea.jpg
  • Sharp peaks of the Cadini Group rise in the Sesto Dolomites, Veneto region, Italy, Europe. In the Cadini di Misurina, Cima Grande rises to 2999 meters (9839 feet), between Cima Piccola and Cima Ovest. The Cadini Group is in the municipality of Auronzo, in the Sesto Dolomites (Dolomiti di Sesto, or Sexten/Sextner/Sextener Dolomiten) which lie north of the Fiume Ansiei valley. From the Rifugio Auronzo toll road, hike for spectacular views around Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," called Drei Zinnen or "Three Merlons" in German). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-50197_Cadini-Group-Dolomites.jpg
  • Hikers admire sharp peaks of the Cadini Group in the Sesto Dolomites, Veneto region, Italy, Europe. In the Cadini di Misurina, Cima Grande rises to 2999 meters (9839 feet), between Cima Piccola and Cima Ovest. The Cadini Group is in the municipality of Auronzo, in the Sesto Dolomites (Dolomiti di Sesto, or Sexten/Sextner/Sextener Dolomiten) which lie north of the Fiume Ansiei valley. From the Rifugio Auronzo toll road, hike for spectacular views around Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," called Drei Zinnen or "Three Merlons" in German). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-50065-p1a_Cadini-Group-Dolomit...jpg
  • A hiker admires sharp peaks of the Cadini Group in the Sesto Dolomites, Italy, Europe. In the Cadini di Misurina, Cima Grande rises to 2999 meters (9839 feet), between Cima Piccola and Cima Ovest. The Cadini Group is in the Sesto Dolomites (Dolomiti di Sesto, or Sexten/Sextner/Sextener Dolomiten) which lie north of the Fiume Ansiei valley, in the municipality of Auronzo. From the Rifugio Auronzo toll road, hike for spectacular views around Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," called Drei Zinnen or "Three Merlons" in German). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-50021_Cadini-Group-Dolomites.jpg
  • From Rifugio Guido Lorenzi on Monte Cristallo in the Ampezzo Dolomites, look northeast across blue ridges of the Sesto Dolomites (Dolomiti di Sesto, or Sexten/Sextner/Sextener Dolomiten) to the pyramids of Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," called Drei Zinnen or "Three Merlons" in German). A lift to Forcella Staunies on Monte Cristallo gives unforgettable views over the Dolomites mountains (part of the Southern Limestone Alps) near Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy, Europe. Monte Cristallo lies within Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo. Directions: From Cortina, drive 6km east on SR48 to the large parking lot for Ski Area Faloria Cristallo Mietres (just west of Passo Tre Croci Federavecchia). Take a chair-lift from Rio Gere to Son Forca (rising from 1698m to 2215m). Then take the old style ovovia (egg-shaped) Gondellift Forcella Staunies to Rifugio Guido Lorenzi (2932m) for astounding views. Climbers enjoy spectacular via ferrata routes here. Cortina gained worldwide fame after hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 8 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-40194-201pan_atop-Monte-Crista...jpg
  • From Rifugio Guido Lorenzi on Monte Cristallo in the Ampezzo Dolomites, look northeast across blue ridges of the Sesto Dolomites (Dolomiti di Sesto, or Sexten/Sextner/Sextener Dolomiten) towards the pyramids of Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," called Drei Zinnen or "Three Merlons" in German). A lift to Forcella Staunies on Monte Cristallo gives unforgettable views over the Dolomites mountains (part of the Southern Limestone Alps) near Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy, Europe. Monte Cristallo lies within Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo. Directions: From Cortina, drive 6km east on SR48 to the large parking lot for Ski Area Faloria Cristallo Mietres (just west of Passo Tre Croci Federavecchia). Take a chair-lift from Rio Gere to Son Forca (rising from 1698m to 2215m). Then take the old style ovovia (egg-shaped) Gondellift Forcella Staunies to Rifugio Guido Lorenzi (2932m) for astounding views. Climbers enjoy spectacular via ferrata routes here. Cortina gained worldwide fame after hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-40174-75pan_atop-Monte-Cristal...jpg
  • A lift to Forcella Staunies on Monte Cristallo gives unforgettable views over the Sesto and other Dolomites mountains near Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy, Europe. Monte Cristallo lies within Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo. Directions: From Cortina, drive 6km east on SR48 to the large parking lot for Ski Area Faloria Cristallo Mietres (just west of Passo Tre Croci Federavecchia). Take a chair-lift from Rio Gere to Son Forca (rising from 1698m to 2215m). Then take the old style ovovia (egg-shaped) Gondellift Forcella Staunies to Rifugio Guido Lorenzi (2932m) for astounding views. Climbers enjoy spectacular via ferrata routes here. The ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Ladin: Anpëz, German: Hayden, at 1224 meters/4016 feet) lies at the head of Valle del Boite surrounded by the beautiful Dolomiti, part of the Southern Limestone Alps. Cortina gained worldwide fame after hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-40100_Monte-Cristallo_Dolomite...jpg
  • Rays of setting sun backlight the Parish Church of St. Nicholas (Nikolauskirche; dedicated to San Nicolò; consecrated in 1507), in Winnebach (Prato Drava) village, Sesto Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, Europe. For cheaper lodging in Val Pusteria (Pustertal), try Winnebach (Prato alla Drava) village near the Austrian border, beneath the Sexten/Sesto Dolomites (Italian: Dolomiti di Sesto; German: Sextener Dolomiten), in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol), Italy. Winnebach (Prato Drava) is in the comune (municipality) of Innichen/San Candido. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, in Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-30313_Winnebach_Prato-Drava_Pu...jpg
  • The Baroque, onion-domed Church of St. Johann in Ranui was built in 1744 and dedicated to Saint Johannes Nepomuk. The Geisler/Odle Group of Dolomites mountains rises nearly 1000 meters above the church in Val di Funes (Villnöß valley), Italy. John of Nepomuk, or Nepomucenea, is a national saint of the Czech Republic, the first martyr of the Seal of the Confessional, a patron against calumnies, and a protector from floods. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-30201_St-Johann-in-Ranui_Geisl...jpg
  • Views of the Geisler/Odle Group and a church in St. Magdalena (Santa Maddalena) village are iconic of the Dolomites mountains. See the valley and municipality of Funes (Villnöss) in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol), Italy. Enjoy great hiking here in the vast Nature Park of Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-30175-77pan_Geisler-Odle-Dolom...jpg
  • Mountain bikers push their bicycles up the Panoramaweg/Panorama Trail. Views of the Geisler/Odle Group and a church in St. Magdalena (Santa Maddalena) village are iconic of the Dolomites mountains. See the valley and municipality of Funes (Villnöss) in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol), Italy. Enjoy great hiking here in the vast Nature Park of Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-30148_Geisler-Odle-Dolomites.jpg
  • A Six-spot Burnet moth (Zygaena filipendulae, a black insect with 6 red wing spots, in the Zygaenidae family) sips nectar from a Knapweed (Centaurea genus) flower in the Dolomites, Italy, the Alps, Europe. Geisler/Odle Group, near St. Magdalena (Santa Maddalena). See the valley and municipality of Funes (Villnöss) in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol), Italy. Enjoy great hiking here in the vast Nature Park of Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-30033_Six-spot-Burnet-moth_kna...jpg
  • Views of the Geisler/Odle Group and a church in St. Magdalena (Santa Maddalena) village are iconic of the Dolomites mountains. See the valley and municipality of Funes (Villnöss) in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol), Italy. Enjoy great hiking here in the vast Nature Park of Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-30023_Geisler-Odle-Dolomites.jpg
  • Old window with fresco and flowers, in St. Magdalena (Santa Maddalena) village in the valley and municipality of Funes (Villnöss) in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol), Italy. Enjoy great hiking here in the vast Nature Park of Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, in Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-30010.jpg
  • Surprisingly young children climb and rappel (abseil) while harnessed and roped on a practice wall in downtown Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Europe. Afternoon sun rays burst through clouds over the Ampezzo Dolomites. The mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Ladin: Anpëz, German: Hayden, at 1224 meters/4016 feet elevation) is surrounded by the Dolomites (Dolomiti, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps) at the top of Valle del Boite in the Province of Belluno, Veneto region, Italy. This ski resort hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    13ITA2-7006-08pan.jpg
  • A hawkweed flower (Hieracium genus of sunflower) blooms in Alpe di Seceda, in the Geisler/Odle Group, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, Europe. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol) region of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Puez-Geisler Group from verdant pastures to alpine wonders to U-shaped Vallunga valley, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA2-6228.jpg
  • Vallunga/Langental, Puez Group, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy, Europe. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol) region of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei or St. Christina, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles), including the deeply glaciated U-shaped valley of Vallunga (Langental). As sheep and cows graze en route, Saint Sylvester's Chapel (San Silvestro) in Vallunga is fittingly dedicated to the patron saint of cattle and contains 300-year-old frescoes depicting the life of Jesus. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-21181_Vallunga_Naturpark-Puez-...jpg
  • At Prera Longia/Pieralongia, between Alpe di Seceda and Alpe di Cisles/Cisles-Alm, walk by curious rock outcrops, near St. Christina, in Val Gardena, in South Tyrol, the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. In the background are the Puez Group (middle) and Langkofel Group (right, Sassolungo, 3181 meters/10,436 feet). The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol) region of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 7 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-21019-25pan_Val-Gardena_South-...jpg
  • Sharp spires of the Geisler/Odle Group soar above a hiker on green Alpe di Seceda, above St. Christina and Ortisei, in South Tyrol, the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol) region of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-20979_Alpe-di-Seceda_Dolomites.jpg
  • Sharp spires of the Geisler/Odle Group soar above green Alpe di Seceda, above St. Christina and Ortisei, in South Tyrol, the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol) region of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-20944_Alpe-di-Seceda_Dolomites.jpg
  • Marmots are large ground squirrels in the genus Marmota. This animal lives atop Alpe di Seceda, in the Geisler/Odle Group, above Ortisei, in South Tyrol, the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. The beautiful ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena (German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Ladin: Sëlva Gherdëine) makes a great hiking base in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (South Tyrol) region of Italy. For our favorite hike in the Dolomiti, start from Selva with the first morning bus to Ortisei, take the Seceda lift, admire great views up at the cross on the edge of Val di Funes (Villnöss), then walk 12 miles (2000 feet up, 5000 feet down) via the steep pass Furcela Forces De Sieles (Forcella Forces de Sielles) to beautiful Vallunga (trail #2 to 16), finishing where you started in Selva. The hike traverses the Geisler/Odle and Puez Groups from verdant pastures to alpine wonders, all preserved in a vast Nature Park: Parco Naturale Puez-Odle (German: Naturpark Puez-Geisler; Ladin: Parch Natural Pöz-Odles), including the deeply glaciated U-shaped valley of Vallunga (Langental). UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-20934_marmot_Dolomites.jpg
  • A field of yellow buttercup flowers (Ranunculus genus) blooms at Pordoi Pass in Italy, Europe. In the distance rise the Langkofel/Sassolungo Group (left) and Sella Group (right). We highly recommend hiking the Bindelweg/Viel del Pan trail for a majestic perspective on the Queen of the Dolomites, glacier-clad Marmolada (3343 meters / 10,968 feet). Take state highway 48 (Grand Strader delle Dolomiti) to Pordoi Pass and hike up the Padon chain, a ridge of volcanic origin carpeted with lush green pasture and wildflowers. Hike an easy 5 miles with 1000 feet gain round trip to Rifugio Viel del Pan; or walk one way 4 miles to the lift at Porta Vescovo down to Arabba village, where an SAD bus can return you to Pordoi Pass during lift hours; or walk 3 hours to Lago di Fedaia and bus back. Pordoi Pass (or Pordoijoch, 2239 meters/7346 feet) is the highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. The panorama was stitched from two overlapping photos, focused near and far.
    13ITA-20845-46pan_Ranunculus-flower_...jpg
  • Near Pordoi Pass in Italy, a bicyclist pedals up the Bindelweg/Viel del Pan trail for a majestic perspective on the Queen of the Dolomites, glacier-clad Marmolada (3343 meters / 10,968 feet). Take state highway 48 (Grand Strader delle Dolomiti) to Pordoi Pass and hike up the Padon chain, a ridge of volcanic origin carpeted with lush green pasture and wildflowers. Hike an easy 5 miles with 1000 feet gain round trip to Rifugio Viel del Pan; or walk one way 4 miles to the lift at Porta Vescovo down to Arabba village, where an SAD bus can return you to Pordoi Pass during lift hours; or walk 3 hours to Lago di Fedaia and bus back. Pordoi Pass (or Pordoijoch, 2239 meters/7346 feet) is the highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, in Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-20818_Marmolada_Dolomites.jpg
  • A lift from Passo Pordoi up to Sass Pordoi in the Sella Group gives a sweeping view of Dolomites peaks including their highest, glacier-clad Marmolada (3343 meters / 10,968 feet), Italy. From Pordoi Pass on state highway 48 (Grand Strader delle Dolomiti), take the rapid cable car ascent or hike up to the restaurant on Sass Pordoi at 2952m. Pordoi Pass (or Pordoijoch, 2239 meters/7346 feet) is the highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites. On the Padon chain in the foreground (a ridge of volcanic origin carpeted with lush green pasture and wildflowers), we highly recommend hiking the Bindelweg/Viel del Pan trail starting from Pordoi Pass. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. For licensing options, please inquire.
    13ITA-20611_Marmolada_Dolomites.jpg
  • A lift from Passo Pordoi up to Sass Pordoi in the Sella Group gives a sweeping view of Dolomites peaks including their highest, glacier-clad Marmolada (3343 meters / 10,968 feet), Italy. From Pordoi Pass on state highway 48 (Grand Strader delle Dolomiti), take the rapid cable car ascent or hike up to the restaurant on Sass Pordoi at 2952m. Pordoi Pass (or Pordoijoch, 2239 meters/7346 feet) is the highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites. On the Padon chain in the foreground (a ridge of volcanic origin carpeted with lush green pasture and wildflowers), we highly recommend hiking the Bindelweg/Viel del Pan trail starting from Pordoi Pass. The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-20577-79pan_Marmolada_Dolomite...jpg
  • A pond reflects Hotel Gonzaga and peaks of the Langkofel Group (Sassolungo, 3181 meters / 10,436 feet) and Sella Group, in Val di Fassa, 2 km west of Passo Pordoi, in the Dolomites, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, Italy. We highly recommend lodging in a pristine, roomy apartment with full kitchen in a beautiful setting at Hotel Gonzaga Appartamenti Garni (Canazei, I-38032, Streda de Pordoi, 102, telephone +39 0462 602121). The Dolomites are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-20443-47pan_Langkofel-Sassolun...jpg
  • Monte Civetta (3220 meters or 10,564 feet elevation) rises high above hiker trails accessible via lift from Alleghe resort village, in the Dolomites, Belluno province, Veneto region, Italy. The Dolomites or Dolomiti are part of the Southern Limestone Alps in Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-20177-82pan_Monte-Civetta.jpg
  • A wild alpine Lilium bulbiferum flower (commonly called Orange Lily, Fire Lily, or Tiger Lily) blooms on Monte Civetta, in the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. From Alleghe village, take a scenic lift to hikes on impressive Monte Civetta (3220 meters or 10,564 feet elevation). The Dolomites or Dolomiti are part of the Southern Limestone Alps, in Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-20105_Orange-Lily.jpg
  • At moonrise, the Pala Dolomites (Pale di San Martino) soar majestically above Passo Rolle, near the mountain resort of San Martino di Castrozza in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, Europe. The sharp peak of Cimon della Pala (right, 3129m) is eclipsed in height by Cima della Vezana (behind left, 3192m, highest of the Pala Dolomites). 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-20070-71pan_Pala-Dolomites.jpg
  • Spotlit by sunset, the Pala Dolomites (Pale di San Martino) soar majestically above Passo Rolle, near the mountain resort of San Martino di Castrozza in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, Europe. The sharp peak of Cimon della Pala (right, 3129m) is eclipsed in height by Cima della Vezana (at its left, 3192m, highest of the Pala Dolomites). 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-20055-56pan_Pala-Dolomites.jpg
  • Spotlit by sunset, the Pala Dolomites (Pale di San Martino) soar majestically above Passo Rolle, near the mountain resort of San Martino di Castrozza in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, Europe. The sharp peak of Cimon della Pala (right, 3129m) is eclipsed in height by Cima della Vezana (at its left, 3192m, highest of the Pala Dolomites). 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-20050-51pan_Pala-Dolomites.jpg
  • At Refugio Baita Segantini, fog swirls around the Pala group (Pale di San Martino) and reflects in a pond. The sharp pyramid of Cimon della Pala (or Cimone, 3184 m/10,446 ft) is known as the Matterhorn of the Dolomites (il Cervino delle Dolomiti). To its left is Cima della Vezana (3192m), highest of the Pala Dolomites. Walk from Passo Rolle to Baita Segantini near the mountain resort of San Martino di Castrozza, in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, Europe. 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-11210-15pan_Pala-Dolomites.jpg
  • A yellow poppy flower blooms on sunny slopes of the Rosengarten/Catinaccio Group in the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. From Pera di Fassa village (in Pozza di Fassa comune in Val di Fassa), in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, Italy, take a bus or lift to visit Rifugio Gardeccia Hutte and hike in the Rosengarten mountain massif (Catinaccio Group) of the Dolomites. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-11011_yellow-poppies.jpg
  • A stream flows from le Coronelle in the Rosengarten/Catinaccio group at sunrise in the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. From Pera di Fassa village (in Pozza di Fassa comune in Val di Fassa), in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, Italy, take a bus or lift to visit Rifugio Gardeccia Hutte and hike in the Rosengarten mountain massif (Catinaccio Group) of the Dolomites. 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10956-61pan_Catinaccio-Rosenga...jpg
  • See the steep face of Marmolata in the distance from Rifugio Gardeccia Hutte, in the Dolomites, Italy, Europe. From Pera di Fassa village (in Pozza di Fassa comune in Val di Fassa), in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, Italy, take a bus or lift to visit Rifugio Gardeccia Hutte and hike in the Rosengarten mountain massif (Catinaccio Group) of the Dolomites. 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-10939.jpg
  • Sunrise reflects the Rosengarten/Catinaccio group in a pond. From Pera di Fassa village (in Pozza di Fassa comune in Val di Fassa), in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region, Italy, take a bus or lift to visit Rifugio Gardeccia Hutte and hike in the Rosengarten mountain massif (Catinaccio Group) of the Dolomites. 200 million years ago, Triassic coral reefs fossilized into Dolomite. Collision of tectonic plates lifted the Dolomites within the Southern Limestone Alps. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10931-34pan_Catinaccio-Rosenga...jpg
  • Vallesinella Falls is an exceptionally beautiful series of cascades along a short trail in the Brenta Dolomites, near the ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, Europe. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10883-86pan_Brenta-Dolomites.jpg
  • Above Rifugio Tuckett e Sella (2272m) rise the peaks of (left to right) Campanile di Vallesinella (2946m), Castelletto Superiore (2700m), Cima Sella (2917m) in the Brenta Dolomites, Italy, Europe. From the ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, the Passo Groste lift takes you directly into the Brenta Dolomites to enjoy scenic mountain hiking trails. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009.
    13ITA-10760_Brenta-Dolomites.jpg
  • To the right of Rifugio Tuckett e Sella (2272m) is the peak of Cima Mandron (3040m) in the clouds. Brenta Dolomites. From the ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, the Passo Groste lift takes you directly into the Brenta Dolomites to enjoy scenic mountain hiking trails. UNESCO honored the Dolomites as a natural World Heritage Site in 2009. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos. For licensing options, please inquire.
    13ITA-10731-36pan_Brenta-Dolomites_R...jpg
  • See Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute from Ponte dell'Accademia bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. The bridge links the sestiere of San Marco and Dorsoduro and is named for the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia. The original 1854 steel bridge was replaced by a wooden one in 1933 and 1985. Lovers like to attach padlocks ("love locks") to the metal hand rails of the bridge (but are discouraged from doing so by Venice authorities). The yellow and white building at left is Istituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed Arti / Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti. Venice (Venezia) is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. This panorama was stitched from 10 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10484-93pan_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • A girl washes hands at well faucet, in Venice, Italy, Europe. Because Venice was cut off from reliable sources of fresh water, Venetians built underground clay-lined cisterns to collect and filter rainwater. Many wellheads were decorated with carvings of saints, family crests, inscriptions in Carolingian, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque era styles. An aqueduct from the mainland completed in the late 1800s made most wells obsolete. Venezia, founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10453_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • A gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque. Venice (Venezia), founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10431_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • The façade of Saint Mark’s Basilica is like a patchwork quilt made of marble. In Venice, Italy, the Byzantine architecture of Saint Mark’s Basilica dates from 1063 AD. Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square) is the prime walking center of Venice. The Piazzetta extends Piazza San Marco to the Venetian Lagoon waterfront. Venice (Venezia) is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. The Republic of Venice wielded major sea power during the Middle Ages, Crusades, and Renaissance. Riches from Venice’s silk, grain, and spice trade in the 1200s to 1600s built elaborate architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoons are honored on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10373_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • A statue of the winged Lion of St. Mark, one of two patron saints of Venice, rises on a tall granite column erected in the 1200s in Piazzetta San Marco, in Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe. The winged Lion of St. Mark, which appeared on the flag and coat of arms of the Republic of Venice, is still featured in the red-yellow flag of the city of Venice (with six tails, one for each sestiere of the city), in its coat of arms, and in the yellow-red-blue flag of the Veneto region (which has seven tails representing its seven provinces). The winged lion also appears in the naval ensign of the Italian Republic, alongside the coat of arms of three other medieval Italian maritime republics (Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi), as well as the Golden Lion, awarded at the Venice Film Festival. Venezia is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles.
    13ITA-10367_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri, built 1602) spans the Roi di Palazzo and connects the Old Prison and interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace to the New Prison located across the canal to the right, in Venice, Italy, Europe. The bridge can be seen from Ponte della Paglia next to the Doge’s Palace. The bridge name, given by Lord Byron in the 19th century, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells. In reality, the days of inquisitions and summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals. Little could be seen from inside the Bridge due to the stone grills covering the windows. A local legend says that lovers will be granted eternal love and bliss if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs as the bells of St Mark's Campanile toll. This legend served as a plot line for the movie "A Little Romance," featuring Laurence Olivier and Diane Lane. Venice (Venezia), founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10358_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Crowds of people near Saint Mark's Square, across from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Venice (Venezia) is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles.
    13ITA-10334_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Gondolas are traditional, flat-bottomed rowing boats which ferry people through Venetian canals. From a peak of 10,000 gondolas 200 years ago, just 500 gondolas now serve Venice. The banana-shaped modern gondola was developed in the 1800s. The left side of a gondola is made longer than the right side to resist leftwards drift at the forward stroke. The gondolier stands on the stern facing the bow and rows just on the right side, with a forward stroke and compensating backward stroke. The oar or rèmo is held in an oar lock, or fórcola, shaped for several rowing positions. The decorative fèrro (meaning iron) ornament on the front can be made of brass, stainless steel, or aluminum, as counterweight for the gondolier standing near the stern. The six horizontal lines and curved top of the ferro represent Venice's six sestieri (districts) and the Doge's cap. Painting gondolas black originated as a sumptuary law eliminating ostentatious competition between nobles. Until the early 1900s, many gondolas had a small cabin (felze) with windows which could be closed with louvered shutters—the original "venetian blinds." The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, Europe. Venice and the Venetian Lagoons are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10314_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Gondolas are traditional, flat-bottomed rowing boats which ferry people through Venetian canals. From a peak of 10,000 gondolas 200 years ago, just 500 gondolas now serve Venice. The banana-shaped modern gondola was developed in the 1800s. The left side of a gondola is made longer than the right side to resist leftwards drift at the forward stroke. The gondolier stands on the stern facing the bow and rows just on the right side, with a forward stroke and compensating backward stroke. The oar or rèmo is held in an oar lock, or fórcola, shaped for several rowing positions. The decorative fèrro (meaning iron) ornament on the front can be made of brass, stainless steel, or aluminum, as counterweight for the gondolier standing near the stern. The six horizontal lines and curved top of the ferro represent Venice's six sestieri (districts) and the Doge's cap. Painting gondolas black originated as a sumptuary law eliminating ostentatious competition between nobles. Until the early 1900s, many gondolas had a small cabin (felze) with windows which could be closed with louvered shutters—the original "venetian blinds." The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, Europe. Venice and the Venetian Lagoons are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10280_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Old window arches on balcony. Venice (Venezia), founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10233_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Yellow building reflects in Venice canals. Venice (Venezia), founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List. This image was stitched from 15 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10211-26pan_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • The Church of Santa Fosca dates from the 1000s AD (as does the adjacent Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta) on Torcello island in the Venice Lagoon, Italy, Europe. Italy’s Veneto region is named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. Over a hundred small islands spread across the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. Barbarian invasions, such as Huns in 452 AD, drove mainland Veniti people to settle the islands. The population of Torcello peaked in the 900s AD with more people than the city of Venice. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles.
    13ITA-10174_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Brightly painted blue, pink, purple, red, and orange houses. Burano, known for knitted lacework, fishing, and colorfully painted houses, is a small archipelago of four islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, in the Veneto region of Italy, Europe. Burano’s traditional house colors are strictly regulated by government. The Romans may have been first to settle Burano. Romantic Venice (Venezia), "City of Canals," stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10172_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • In Burano, houses are brightly painted blue, red, orange, and yellow along a fishermen's boat canal. Burano, known for knitted lacework, fishing, and colorfully painted houses, is a small archipelago of four islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, in the Veneto region of Italy, Europe. Burano’s traditional house colors are strictly regulated by government. The Romans may have been first to settle Burano. Romantic Venice (Venezia), "City of Canals," stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10091-96pan_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Madonna dell'Orto church was erected by the now-defunct Humiliati religious order in the mid 1300s in the sestiere of Cannaregio, Venice, in Italy, Europe. The brickwork bell tower was finished in 1503 with an onion dome in Eastern style, topped by a white marble statue of the Redeemer. The photo is taken from a hotel room in Antica Raffineria (www.anticaraffineria.it). Venice (Venezia) is the capital of Italy's Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles.
    13ITA-10077_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • After the plague of 1630, Venice built "The Salute," Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Saint Mary of Health) by 1687 at the intersection of the Grand Canal, Canal of San Marco, and Canal of Giudecca. Venice (Venezia) is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic "City of Canals" stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles.
    13ITA-10066_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Masks have always characterized the Carnival of Venice (Carnevale di Venezia), which began by 1268 AD. The Roman Catholic festival of carnival starts on or after Epiphany and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Martedi Grasso, 41 days before Easter, the day before Ash Wednesday). Traditionally in Venice, people were allowed to wear masks between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. As masks were also allowed during Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could disguise themselves most of the year. Mask makers (mascareri) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and guild. Carnival celebrations stopped after Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio in 1797 and Venice became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. Old carnival traditions didn’t revive until the 1970s brought a modern mask shop to Venice. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Venice is in the Veneto region of Italy, Europe.
    13ITA-10056_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • The spiky blue "Comet Glass Star" was made for Christmas 2007 by Master glass maker Simone Cenedese in Murano and displayed at Campo Santo Stefano, under the 1890 clock tower. Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, in northern Italy, Europe. To reduce the threat of fire to Venice, all glassmakers were forced to the island of Murano in 1291 AD. Venetian glass is world-renowned as colorful, elaborate, and skillfully made. Once an independent comune, Murano is now a frazione of the comune of Venice. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    13ITA-10044-47pan_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • A boat moors to an old weathered building with blue door in Venice. Venezia, founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10017_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Water reflects morning sun which shimmers underneath a pedestrian bridge in the Ghetto, in Cannaregio sestiere, Venice (Venezia), Italy, Europe. The Venetian Ghetto was where Jews were compelled to live under the Venetian Republic starting in 1516, and from this the word "ghetto" originates. Venezia, founded in the 400s AD, is capital of Italy’s Veneto region, named for the ancient Veneti people from the 900s BC. The romantic City of Canals stretches across 100+ small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, between the mouths of the Po and Piave Rivers. The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, a staging area for the Crusades, and a major center of art and commerce (silk, grain and spice trade) from the 1200s to 1600s. The wealthy legacy of Venice stands today in a rich architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
    13ITA-10005_Venice-Italy.jpg
  • Mali Prstavac waterfall plunges 18 meters at the Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera). Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvicka jezera, in Croatia, Europe) was founded in 1949 and is honored by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Waters flowing over limestone, dolomite, and chalk in this karstic landscape have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams, beautiful lakes and waterfalls. Warming conditions after the last Ice Age (less than 12,000 years ago) allowed the natural dams to form from tufa (calcium carbonate) and chalk depositing in layers, bound by plants. Plitvicka Jezera is a municipality of Lika-Senj County, in the Republic of Croatia. This panorama was stitched from 7 overlapping photos.
    13CRO-096-102pan_Plitvice-Lakes-Croa...jpg
  • Multiple streams of the beautiful waterfall Veliki prstavac plunge 28 meters. Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvicka jezera, in Croatia, Europe) was founded in 1949 and is honored by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Waters flowing over limestone, dolomite, and chalk in this karstic landscape have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams, beautiful lakes and waterfalls. Warming conditions after the last Ice Age (less than 12,000 years ago) allowed the natural dams to form from tufa (calcium carbonate) and chalk depositing in layers, bound by plants. Plitvicka Jezera is a municipality of Lika-Senj County, in the Republic of Croatia.
    13CRO-064_Plitvice-Lakes-Croatia.jpg
  • A Japanese maple turns orange in autumn. The Seattle Japanese Garden was completed in 1960 within UW's Washington Park Arboretum. Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA.
    1310ARB-110_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Japanese maples turn red and orange by a garden stream in autumn. The Seattle Japanese Garden was completed in 1960 within UW's Washington Park Arboretum. Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA. The image was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    1310ARB-090-95pan_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Fall foliage colors, pond. The Seattle Japanese Garden was completed in 1960 within UW's Washington Park Arboretum. Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA.
    1310ARB-079_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Fall foliage colors, pond. The Seattle Japanese Garden was completed in 1960 within UW's Washington Park Arboretum. Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA.
    1310ARB-063-67pan_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Fall foliage colors, pond. The Seattle Japanese Garden was completed in 1960 within UW's Washington Park Arboretum. Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, Washington 98112, USA.
    1310ARB-044_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Maple tree leaves glow in autumn at UW Arboretum. Washington Park Arboretum is a joint project of the University of Washington, the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, and the nonprofit Arboretum Foundation, in the State of Washington, USA. Photographed October 22.  The panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1310ARB-035-37pan_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Japanese maple tree leaves glow red in autumn over path steps at UW Arboretum. Washington Park Arboretum is a joint project of the University of Washington, the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, and the nonprofit Arboretum Foundation, in the State of Washington, USA. Photographed October 22.
    1310ARB-012_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Japanese maple tree leaves glow in autumn at UW Arboretum. Washington Park Arboretum is a joint project of the University of Washington, the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, and the nonprofit Arboretum Foundation, in the State of Washington, USA. Photographed October 22.
    1310ARB-003_fall-leaf-colors.jpg
  • Hikers on the Skyline Divide trail admire Mount Baker (elevation 10,781 feet) in Mount Baker Wilderness, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, USA.
    1309BAK-106.jpg
  • See Mount Baker (elevation 10,781 feet) from Skyline Divide trail in Mount Baker Wilderness, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, USA.
    1309BAK-077.jpg
  • The Mount Townsend trail passes by native rhododendrons which bloom with pink/magenta flowers in late June. Hike 8 miles round trip and 3000 feet in steady vertical gain to an alpine ridge on Mount Townsend Trail #839 in Buckhorn Wilderness, on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, USA. Contact Quilcene Ranger Station, Olympic National Forest.
    1306RHO-5070_rhododendrons_Mt-Townse...jpg
  • In early spring, leafless trees and desert varnish frame a royal arch in canyon walls along Lower Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain). Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground.
    1303UT-2275-p1.jpg
  • Desert varnish streaks canyon walls along Lower Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain). Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground.
    1303UT-2261.jpg
  • Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain), in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The beautiful cascade drops 126 feet (38 meters) from sandstone cliffs stained with fascinating patterns of desert varnish. Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground. More about desert varnish: Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. The panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-2233-2235pan_Lower-Calf-Creek...jpg
  • Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain), in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The beautiful cascade drops 126 feet (38 meters) from sandstone cliffs stained with fascinating patterns of desert varnish. Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground. More about desert varnish: Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. The panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-2215-2217pan_Calf-Creek-Falls.jpg
  • Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain), in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The beautiful cascade drops 126 feet (38 meters) from sandstone cliffs stained with fascinating patterns of desert varnish. Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground. More about desert varnish: Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest.
    1303UT-2186.jpg
  • Wavy red, white, and black sandstone patterns decorate Tunnel Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com.
    1303UT-2077.jpg
  • Zebra Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com. The image was stitched from 2 overlapping photos to increase depth of focus.
    1303UT-2032-2033stit_Zebra-Slot_Gran...jpg
  • A hiker chimneys up the narrow walls of Zebra Slot Canyon, in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com.
    1303UT-2019_Zebra-Slot_Grand-Stairca...jpg
  • Walk the trail behind Lower Emerald Pool waterfall in Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet. The panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-1236-1240pan_Lower-Emerald-Fa...jpg
  • Ice on branches, Lower Emerald Pool waterfall, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1186.jpg
  • Kolob Terrace Road entrance to Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1121.jpg
  • Deer cross Kolob Terrace Road at entrance to Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1118.jpg
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