Landmark Tours’ Post

This tour is unique. It is about patterns. It is also about cosmology. Good value for money too.

A NIGHT ON THE BEACHES OF MALDIVES This stunning image, compiled from various photographs taken just over a year ago on the island of Soneva Fushi, Maldives, reveals an unusual combination of colours. The image shows the nearly vertical descent of the full moon, which occurs because the observer is close to the Earth's equator. As the moon approaches the horizon, the air and aerosols in Earth's atmosphere scatter preferably blue light, causing the moon reflecting the reddish sun to appear red. An even more unusual aspect is the blue light on the beach, emitted by bioluminescent plankton. These little creatures emit a blue light to surprise and deter predators. In this case, the blue light is the result of waves containing plankton breaking on the coast.

🌟 Monument Valley isn't just a place; it's a beacon of wisdom and beauty that speaks volumes beyond its red rocks and rugged terrain. As I delved into the depths of this captivating article, one key lesson stood out like a shining mesa at sunrise: 🚗 **Embrace the Journey:** Like Monument Valley's geological formations shaped over millions of years, our own paths are a blend of time, experiences, and perseverance. Just as each rock tells a story, our lives unfold with tales of growth, resilience, and endurance. 🌄 **Cultural Connection:** The cultural richness of Monument Valley, steeped in Navajo heritage, serves as a reminder of the significance of embracing diversity and honoring traditions that pave the way for a deeper understanding of our interconnected world. 💬 **Shared Stories:** Monument Valley invites us to share stories — of the land, the people, and our own journeys. It encourages a sense of community, where each narrative intertwines to create a tapestry of experiences that celebrate the vastness of life's adventures. 🌵 **Nature's Teachings:** The lessons of Monument Valley go beyond the physical; they delve into the spiritual realm, echoing the importance of respect for the earth, mindfulness of nature's rhythms, and the profound impact of immersing oneself in the beauty of the natural world. 🌟 So, as we traverse our own unique landscapes, let's remember the timeless wisdom of Monument Valley, where rocks whisper tales of resilience and culture speaks volumes about the human spirit. https://lnkd.in/gyaiRFFQ

During my Artist Residency on a sailboat in the Arctic, we navigated through tight turns to reach the port of Ilulissat. Above the Arctic Circle, the sun never truly sets, but we were graced with stunning "sunsets" between 2am and 4am, as the sun hovered just above the horizon, casting a magical light across the landscape. The Arctic Ocean near Ilulissat is densely packed with icebergs because of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the most active and fastest-moving glaciers in the world. This massive glacier produces a significant number of icebergs, calving large chunks of ice into the ocean at an incredible rate. As these icebergs drift into the bay, they create a mesmerizing, ever-changing seascape that serves as a powerful reminder of the dynamic and fragile nature of the polar regions.

#Seacreatures exhibit an extraordinary array of beauty, from the vibrant colors of coral reefs to the graceful movements of marine mammals like dolphins and whales. Even the intricate patterns of tiny creatures like seahorses and nudibranchs can captivate observers. Each species has its unique charm, contributing to the breathtaking diversity and allure of the underwater world. #Colorful #CoralReefs: Coral reefs are home to a stunning variety of marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. The vibrant colors of coral colonies, combined with the dazzling hues of fish and other inhabitants, create a mesmerizing underwater landscape. #Graceful #MarineMammals: Creatures like dolphins, whales, and seals captivate with their elegance and agility as they glide effortlessly through the water. Their sleek bodies and fluid movements convey a sense of grace and beauty. Intricate #Patterns and #Shapes: Many sea creatures display intricate patterns and shapes that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. For example, the spiral shell of a chambered nautilus or the elaborate frills of a lionfish are not only visually striking but also aid in camouflage, communication, or defense. #Bioluminescence: Some sea creatures possess the remarkable ability to produce light through bioluminescence. Fireflies, jellyfish, and certain species of fish illuminate the darkness of the ocean depths with their glowing displays, adding a magical quality to the underwater environment. #Translucent and #Transparent #Creatures: Transparent or translucent sea creatures, such as jellyfish and comb jellies, offer a unique glimpse into the inner workings of marine life. Their delicate forms and ethereal appearance contribute to the otherworldly beauty of the ocean. #ExoticFish Species: The ocean is teeming with an astonishing array of fish species, each with its own distinctive colors, patterns, and behaviors. From the psychedelic patterns of parrotfish to the iridescent scales of angelfish, these underwater denizens showcase nature's creativity and diversity. Overall, the beauty of sea creatures lies in their diversity, adaptability, and the intricate ecosystems they inhabit. Exploring the underwater world reveals a treasure trove of visual marvels that continue to inspire awe and wonder in observers around the globe.

New assignment: you need to paint Antarctica. Which colors are you adding to your palette? White and blue? Boring. Antarctica is often thought of as a vast, white wilderness, but it is far more colorful than most people realize. ❄ Icebergs and Glaciers: The ice in Antarctica isn't just white. Icebergs can appear in stunning shades of blue and green. This is due to the way light is refracted and absorbed by the dense ice, which can create a mesmerizing jade color. 🐧 Wildlife: The wildlife adds a splash of color to the landscape. Penguins with their distinctive black and white coats, seals, and various bird species, including the vibrant pink-footed sheathbill, all contribute to the diverse palette of the region. 🌅 Sunsets and Sunrises: The skies over Antarctica can transform into breathtaking displays of color. The long sunsets and sunrises during certain times of the year paint the sky in shades of pink, orange, and purple, offering a spectacular backdrop to the icy terrain. 🌿 Algae and Lichens: Even the snow and ice can show unexpected colors due to the presence of algae and lichens. These organisms can tint the snow red, green, or even orange, adding to the continent's colorful diversity. So, the next time you think of Antarctica, remember it’s not just a blank canvas of white; it’s a rich and diverse palette of striking colors. #antarctica #antarcticrights #southernocean #colorsofantarctica

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【Amazing Nature: Cosquer Cave】 The Cosquer Cave located in Cap Morgiou, Marseille, France is situated about 37 meters (121 feet) below sea level and its entrance lies about 37 meters (121 feet) underwater. This underwater entrance suggests that the sea level was significantly lower during the time the cave was inhabited by prehistoric humans, allowing access to the cave without diving equipment. The cave contains around 600 paintings and engravings, which are predominantly of animals such as horses, bison, ibex, and seals, as well as numerous hand stencils. These artworks provide valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of the people who inhabited the region during the Upper Paleolithic period. Due to the unique underwater entrance and the fragile nature of the cave’s contents, access to the cave is strictly regulated, and special permission is required for scientific research or exploration. In recent years, efforts have been made to study and preserve the cave and its invaluable cultural heritage.

"Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of nature, expertly captured by JeanPaul Digital. From majestic mountains to serene seascapes, let us bring the wonders of the world to life in stunning detail. 🌄📷 #LandscapePhotography #JeanPaulDigital"

This landscape, as we gaze westward, unveils the remarkable Castle Peaks, distinct from the Castle Peak near Donner Pass along Interstate 80. These peaks are nestled in the northeast corner of the Mojave National Preserve, within the East Mojave National Scenic Area, and are part of the New York Mountains subrange. This impressive geological feature is visible from Interstate 15 as travelers descend toward the Ivanpah/Primm area on their way to Las Vegas. During this descent, a glance across the valley reveals the striking silhouette of jagged peaks crowning the mountaintops. What sets the Castle Peaks apart is their uniqueness in the vicinity; the sight of two similar peak formations in such proximity is both rare and visually captivating, particularly when viewed from above. If you enlarge the image and look below the peaks you will see a second set of much smaller peaks mirroring the ones above. These peaks owe their sharp, distinctive profiles to their composition of volcanic tuffs and breccias, which have undergone significant erosion over time. Among these, only two summits stand out with more than 300 feet of prominence: the summit known as “Dove” on the USGS 24k map, standing at 1776.7 meters, and “North Castle Butte” at 1797 meters, a name given by the Desert Peaks Section but not recognized on the USGS map. The Dove summit, often referred to as “Dove Benchmark,” has lost its original aluminum disc monument, placed in 1956, named possibly after the nearby Dove Spring. This region of the Mojave Desert also carries a rich history, once inhabited by First Nations Tribal Peoples including the Desert Chemehuevi and the Mohave tribes. These communities thrived as hunter-gatherers, utilizing the Ivanpah Valley and the Colorado River as vital corridors for transportation. Despite the harsh desert conditions and scarce resources, they ingeniously managed food and water to sustain their population. The area, with its limited resources, likely never supported more than 150 people simultaneously. The presence of food caches, prepared during times of abundance for future use, highlights their adaptability and resilience in this challenging environment. #wilderness #exploration #aerialphotography #adventure