Natural Firefall

Horsetail Falls backlit by the setting sun in Yosemite National Park, California.

Horsetail Falls on El Capitan

Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (Russia, 12th-century)

© glam Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (Церковь Покрова на Нерли) 

The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River (Russian: Церковь Покрова на Нерли, Tserkov Pokrova na Nerli) is an Orthodox church and a symbol of mediaeval Russia.

The church is situated at the confluence of Nerl and Klyazma Rivers in Bogolyubovo, 13 km north-east of the ancient capital of Vladimir.

The church was commissioned by Andrei Bogolyubsky. It was built in 12th-century. The monument is built in white stone, has one dome and four columns in the interior. For centuries, the memorial church greeted everyone approaching the palace at Bogolyubovo. In spring, the area would be flooded, and the church appeared as if floating on water. The church itself has not been touched by later generations, only the dome's shape slightly changed, and galleries-porches were built in 12th-century, rebuilt in 18th-century and then demolished. The walls are still covered with 12th-century carvings.

In 1992, the church was added to the UN

 World Heritage List as part of the site White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal.

Photos: Vokrugsveta, Яндексфотки, Фото.сайт

Info: Wiki

via randomnies.blogspot.com

Halo (11 photos)

A halo (ἅλως; also known as a nimbus, icebow or Gloriole) is an optical phenomenon produced by ice crystals creating colored or white arcs and spots in the sky. Many are near the sun or moon but others are elsewhere and even in the opposite part of the sky. They can also form around artificial lights in very cold weather when ice crystals called diamond dust are floating in the nearby air.

There are many types of ice halos. They are produced by the ice crystals in cirrus clouds high (5–10 km, or 3–6 miles) in the upper troposphere. The particular shape and orientation of the crystals is responsible for the type of halo observed. Light is reflected and refracted by the ice crystals and may split up into colors because of dispersion. The crystals behave like prisms and mirrors, refracting and reflecting sunlight between their faces, sending shafts of light in particular directions.

Atmospheric phenomena such as halos were used as part of weather lore as an empirical means of weather forecasting before meteorology was developed.

Other common optical phenomena involving water droplets rather than ice crystals include the glory and the rainbow.

Wulingyuan Sandstone Pillars (16 photos)

Often called by foreigners as China's Yellowstone Park, this spectacular area is noted for its large volume and variety of quartz sandstone pillars, ravines and gorges, limestone caves and ancient ecosystem.

With an area of more than 264 sq. km in China's Hunan Province, the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area encompasses three sections: the Zhangjiajie national forest reserve, the Suoxi Brook area and the Mt. Tianzi area.

The major topography consists of sandstone hills, evolving into more than 3,103 bizarre peaks, many over 400 m high. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, and some 40 caves, as well as two large natural bridges. Remote from the outside world, the site is 85% covered with trees, and 99% covered with vegetation.

The landscape of Wulingyuan is renowned for five wonders: spectacular peaks, unique rocks, secluded valleys, serene waters and deep karst caves.

Beautiful photos of Hitachi Kaihin Park in Japan (17 photos)

Nemophila flowers in Japanese Hitachi Seaside Park.

Abkhazia - beautiful video filming

Video filming in Abkhazia - a very beautiful and stern land located between Russia and Georgia.

Beautiful Orthodox Landscapes / Православные пейзажи