Sun, Snow, and Ice

If you visit Iceland during the winter, as we did a couple of years ago, you will certainly be surrounded by some harsh conditions. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful, though, as we found so many sights that were absolutely stunning. There is something about the sun shining through the wintery clouds and then reflecting off of the frozen tundra that is hauntingly attractive. Having just gone through the “bomb cyclone” here in Colorado where we were buried with snow and ice, it definitely brought back thoughts of our time in Iceland. As we drove around the countryside, we were constantly amazed by the incredible scenery and could only imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have the comfort of a car to return to. Here are a few of our favorite photographs of sun reflecting across the icy terrain.

Sunglasses Might Be Required Even Without the Sun
Combination of Sun, Clouds, and Ice
Just Enough Light to Reflect on the Ice
Not Quite Frozen
Almost Surreal
A Perfect Moment
You Don’t Want to Get Lost Here
Almost Like Another World

 

Floors and Ceilings at the Vatican Museums

There are a few places where the floors, ceilings, and even the walls can be just as fascinating as the pieces of art or furniture that are in them. The Vatican Museums are definitely such a place where no matter which way you look there seem to be beautiful geometric patterns or murals painted directly onto the ceiling. Obviously there is the Sistine Chapel, but just within the Vatican Museums themselves there is much to see beyond the famous artwork that is housed there. There are certainly many other palaces that we’ve visited that have very ornate floors and ceilings, but these are definitely some of the most interesting and beautiful. It isn’t often that you find yourself taking photographs of a floor, but just because it is beneath your feet doesn’t mean it can’t be art. It is certainly a reminder to not only look left and right, but to also look up and down as well.

Individual Art Combining to a Cohesive Ceiling
Looking Up at a Dome
Every Hallway’s Ceiling is Unique
Beautiful Floor
Connecting Patterns
Mural on the Ceiling
Symmetry above a Doorway
Another Dome
The Floor is as Interesting as Everything Else
So Many Murals Inside of a Dome
3 Dimensional Walls and Ceiling
Another Ceiling with Artwork
Archway and Dome
Colorful Walls and Ceiling

 

Weathered Over Time

Wherever we go, we enjoy seeing how nature changes the world that we live in over time. Whether it is water flowing over rocks for years wearing it away until it changes them over time or volcanoes erupting and creating new land where it didn’t exist before, the forces of nature are fascinating to see. These changes can be quite dramatic when viewed from a distance, but even when seen up close the textures reveal the effects of nature. We have chosen a few of our favorite photos that demonstrate the power of rock slides, waterfalls, and volcanic eruptions.

Rocks Smoothed by a Waterfall
Rugged Peaks and Rock Slides
Stones Eroding to Sand
Very Surreal Landscape in La Paz
Lava Field in Iceland