Practicing low-key photography. Inspired by #MacroMonday and © Janet Towbin. Cannot participate as much as in the past, but this theme seems daunting. (This is not a macro shot.)

www.naturettl.com/macro-how-to-take-low-key-close-ups/

Proportions and light look okay? My husband isn’t a fan of all that negative space. You?

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CncL5DIL1hp/

A high-key and high dynamic range shot into the sun of two monasteries in snow-capped Meteora, Greece. The Varlaam abbey (monastery) is viewed in the foreground; the Roussanou nunnery is seen below right, farther away. Light snow has fallen and blanketed the extreme terrain all around.

The Varlaam monastery was built in 1517-1518 on a 1,808 ft high (551 m) rock. The Roussanou (St. Barbara's) monastery was built in c.1528 on an extremely precipitous rock formation (1,588 ft or 484 n high) with very limited space available on its plateau.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CnutRPfP7mM/

Snow falls and has blanketed the extreme terrain all around two monasteries (abbeys) in Meteora, Greece.

The Roussanou (St. Barbara's) nunnery is viewed in the foreground. It was built in c.1528 on an extremely precipitous rock formation (1,588 ft or 484 m high) with very limited space available on its plateau.

St. Nicholas's (Anapafsás) abbey is seen above right, farther away. A church on its first floor dates from the 14th century. Its main church (katholikon) was built in early 16th century and is famous for its exquisite frescoes painted by Theophanes the Cretan in 1527. The rock formation is 1,375 ft (419 m) high.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CsB0QHfRWn0/

It was in 1212 AD that the Kēpina monastery was built in Epirus, Greece. It was nested within the yawning cave of a craggy, vertical cliff (gorge of the river Kalarrytikos or Calarrhyticus).

The monastery is dedicated to the Assumption (of Virgin Mary). The Kēpina name derives from the word for gardens (kēpoe in Greek).

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/Cs2Cyq_vS9p/

The source of Aoös river lies in lovely Epirus, Greece, at an altitude (elevation) of 4,430 ft (1,350 m), where a reservoir was made. During the golden hour, a photographer there is blessed with all sorts of autumnal colors, co-existing with the surrounding fir trees’ green, too.

The Aoös river (aka Aōos) is 169 miles long (272 km). It rises in the Pindus mountains’ range (where a hydroelectric dam was constructed in 1987), then flows through the Vikos-Aoös canyon or gorge. It finally enters Albania (where it is called Vjosë) and continues for 119 miles (192 km) before joining the Adriatic sea.

Epirus is the northwesternmost region of Greece. The scenery is breathtaking, a unique combination of picturesque mountains, valleys and lakes or rivers.

SPAGNA

Let Photography take you to a dreamy place in winter: Imagine a cabin in the woods; inside you are protected from the howling, icy wind. Listen to the falling rain and gaze out of the frozen window: Poetry awaits to be seen through the wet glass:

❝︎The Fitful Alternations of the Rain❞︎

“When the chill wind, languid as with pain

Of its own heavy moisture, here and there

Drives through the gray and beamless atmosphere”

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/Cq3JJJVLh_P/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/Cq0nmWhrny8/

EXIF: Camera: Sony A7R IV

Lens: Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Exposure: 1/200 sec Aperture: f/8 ISO: 200

Lighting: On-Camera Flash (Manual Exposure)

Pun bitterly intended upon the meaning of “Fall,” as either the season (autumn) or as the movement (of leaves down, towards the ground). The shot juxtaposes such a Fall (of leaves) with the pictorial invitation to Ascend by climbing the steps that were once carved out from the rock.

It was as late as in the 1930s that these steps were carved out from the solid rock to replace the earlier used way of ascending: the last person recorded to have used the shaky and rickety rope ladder was in 1911: monk Eugene of the Great Meteoron abbey (monastery) fell off the cliff whilst attempting to climb up that old ladder.

The stairs lead to the remote and deserted Hypapantē monastery (abbey) dating back to 1367 in Meteora, Greece. The abbey was destroyed by fire in 1809 on the instructions of a notorious local Ottoman bully, based in Ioannina.

Hypapantē is the Greek word for “Candlemas” (Luke 2:22–38). The abbey is nested within the rock formation at a height of 230 ft (70 m) above ground.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

The source of Aoös river lies in lovely Epirus, Greece, at an altitude (elevation) of 4,430 ft (1,350 m), where a reservoir was made. During the golden hour, a photographer there is blessed with all sorts of autumnal colors, co-existing with the surrounding fir trees’ green, too.

The Aoös river (aka Aōos) is 169 miles long (272 km). It rises in the Pindus mountains’ range (where a hydroelectric dam was constructed in 1987), then flows through the Vikos-Aoös canyon or gorge. It finally enters Albania (where it is called Vjosë) and continues for 119 miles (192 km) before joining the Adriatic sea.

Epirus is the northwesternmost region of Greece. The scenery is breathtaking, a unique combination of picturesque mountains, valleys and lakes or rivers.

The source of Aoös river lies in lovely Epirus, Greece, at an altitude (elevation) of 4,430 ft (1,350 m), where a reservoir was made. During the golden hour, a photographer there is blessed with all sorts of autumnal colors, co-existing with the surrounding fir trees' green, too.

The Aoös river (aka Aōos) is 169 miles long (272 km). It rises in the Pindus mountains' range (where a hydroelectric dam was constructed in 1987), then flows through the Vikos-Aoös canyon or gorge. It finally enters Albania (where it is called Vjosë) and continues for 119 miles (192 km) before joining the Adriatic sea.

Epirus is the north-westernmost region of Greece. The scenery is breathtaking, a unique combination of picturesque mountains, valleys and lakes or rivers.

The source of Aoös river lies in lovely Epirus, Greece, at an altitude (elevation) of 4,430 ft (1,350 m), where a reservoir was made. During the golden hour, a photographer there is blessed with all sorts of autumnal colors, co-existing with the surrounding fir trees’ green, too.

The Aoös river (aka Aōos) is 169 miles long (272 km). It rises in the Pindus mountains’ range (where a hydroelectric dam was constructed in 1987), then flows through the Vikos-Aoös canyon or gorge. It finally enters Albania (where it is called Vjosë) and continues for 119 miles (192 km) before joining the Adriatic sea.

Epirus is the northwesternmost region of Greece. The scenery is breathtaking, a unique combination of picturesque mountains, valleys and lakes or rivers.

Belted Kingfisher with some crazy background fall colours. (Scientific name: Megaceryle alcyon

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The design of a kingfisher's beak is aerodynamically efficient, allowing it to dive from its perch, towards its prey, with maximum speed and minimum splash. In fact, the beak design is so clever that the front of many Japanese bullet trains are modelled to mimic it.

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Typically feeds on small fish, usually those less than 4-5" long. Also eats crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, aquatic insects. Occasionally takes prey away from water, including small mammals, young birds, lizards. Reported to eat berries at times.

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#beltedkingfishersofinstagram

#beltedkingfishers

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St. George’s Greek Orthodox church emerges from low mist, to the North-East of the Meteora rocky complex, to the South-East of the village Vlachava.

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CrrCRHIvhRt/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CsTw6HOxFaF/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CnNTnVDSof9/

The source of Aoös river lies in lovely Epirus, Greece, at an altitude (elevation) of 4,430 ft (1,350 m), where a reservoir was made. During the golden hour, a photographer there is blessed with all sorts of autumnal colors, co-existing with the surrounding fir trees’ green, too.

The Aoös river (aka Aōos) is 169 miles long (272 km). It rises in the Pindus mountains’ range (where a hydroelectric dam was constructed in 1987), then flows through the Vikos-Aoös canyon or gorge. It finally enters Albania (where it is called Vjosë) and continues for 119 miles (192 km) before joining the Adriatic sea.

Epirus is the northwesternmost region of Greece. The scenery is breathtaking, a unique combination of picturesque mountains, valleys and lakes or rivers

Clouds are gathering over one of the remote, lesser-known abbeys in Meteora, Greece—the Hypapantē monastery. It is located on the northwesternmost group of the Meteora rock formations.

Hypapantē is the Greek word for “Candlemas,” i.e. the church festival in honor of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22–38). The Hypapantē abbey was in the distant past also known as The Ascension, according to a 1367 inscription above the entrance to the “katholikon” (the abbey’s main church, a basilica with a cross-shaped roof).

The abbey is nested within the rock formation at a height of 230 ft (70 m) above ground. It was deserted in c.1809, then ruined. Stairs were carved on the rock in 1930. Maintenance and restoration took place in 1995-2000.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses which were formed 60 million years ago are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

The friendly cuckoo surveying his patch for some tasty mealworms.

Eastern Kingbird ( Scientific name: Tyrannus tyrannus)

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The Eastern Kingbird perches on treetops, fences, and utility poles. When another bird flies into its territory--even one much larger than itself--it attacks fiercely, uttering a piercing cry. When one of a pair starts the battle, the other usually joins in. Its aggressive behavior has earned this bird its common name.

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Small but mighty, the eastern kingbird could technically be considered a tyrant. It's Latin name, tyrannus tyrannus, says it all: tyrant, king, despot. And for good reason, too, since this songbird is known for attacking hawks, crows, herons, and other birds that may dare swoop into their territory.

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#easternkingbirdsofinstagram

#easternkingbirds

#easternkingbird

#bird_brilliance

#birdsofinstagram

#best_birds_of_ig

#kings_birds_

@kings_birds_

#your_best_birds

#rspb_love_nature

#nuts_about_birds

@nuts_about_birds

#wildlife_addicts

#wildlife_vision

#beautifulbirds50

@beautifulbirds50

#nature_brilliance

#birdphotography

#pocket_birds

#exclusive_wildlife

#uk_wildlife_images

#naturelovers

#birds_illife

@birds_illife

#nature_seekers

#bestbird_shots

#animalelite

#ukwildlifeimages

#greatcrestedgrebe

#BBCwildlifePOTD

#1birdshot

@1birdshot

#naturettl #spectacularbirdphotos

#clixofnature

Somehow these cute little Yellow Warblers appear so much more tiny to me this year.‍♂️ Well I guess my vision is one year older. Lol.😂

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🌳 See also www.instagram.com/clixofnature🐦

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#yellowwarblersofinstagram

#yellowwarblers

#yellowwarbler

#bird_brilliance

#birdsofinstagram

#best_birds_of_ig

#kings_birds_

@kings_birds_

#your_best_birds

#rspb_love_nature

#nuts_about_birds

@nuts_about_birds

#wildlife_addicts

#wildlife_vision

#beautifulbirds50

@beautifulbirds50

#nature_brilliance

#birdlovers

#birdphotography

#pocket_birds

#exclusive_wildlife

#uk_wildlife_images

#naturelovers

#birds_illife

@birds_illife

#nature_seekers

#bestbird_shots

#animalelite

#ukwildlifeimages

#greatcrestedgrebe

#BBCwildlifePOTD

#1birdshot

@1birdshot

#naturettl #spectacularbirdphotos

#clixofnature

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CsTwvtpLmqg/

I've lost count of the amount of times I have photographed this beach but there is always something new. On this occasion I loved the way the ice echoed the shape of the distant mountains.

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Camera: Canon 5D MkIV

Lens: Canon 100-400mm L

Settings: 13 sec / f16 / ISO 200

Filters: LEE Filters Little Stopper & 0.6 medium ND grad

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See more at www.justinminns.co.uk

Keep up to date on Facebook

Join me on a UK workshop

Join me in Iceland

I've seriously neglected Flickr lately so I'll try and catch up a bit.

This was a perfect morning in Yosemite back in January, my last trip before lockdown... since then workshops in Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy and Germany have all had to be cancelled so I'm itching to get away again!

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Camera: Canon 5D MkIV

Lens: Canon 16-35mm f4L

Settings: 1/15 / f16 / ISO 100

Filters: LEE Filters landscape polariser & 0.6 soft ND grad

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See more at www.justinminns.co.uk

Keep up to date on Facebook

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Join me in Yosemite

Snow falls and has blanketed the Holy Trinity abbey in Meteora, Greece. In Greek it is called “Haghía Triáda” monastery. It was built in 1362 AD or earlier near the top of a rock formation bearing the same name and rising to an elevation of 1,870 feet (570 m). The Greek flag flying. One can use the 149 steps (carved in the rock in 1925) in order to ascend to the Holy Trinity monastery.

Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Holy Trinity on Monday following Pentecost or Whit Sunday (Pentecost occurs 50 days after Resurrection, aka Easter).

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CrlUVP1LxuW/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/Crq_s1MP7FD/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CqybPFjP0pD/

The January Full Moon is named Wolf Moon due to the howling of the wolves that can be heard in this time of year more often than at any other season. This is the very first full moon gracing the sky in 2021. On this shot the Moon is rising above the snow-capped Mount Olympus (2,918 m or 9,570 ft, Greece), as viewed from South West, from afar (from a distance of 43 miles or 69 km away), from the outskirts of Kalampaka. It was a very, very cold evening indeed high up on the windy mountains!

The highest mountain in Greece was thought as the 12 gods' everlasting residence, according to Homer. The sacred mountain has long inspired a legion of poets.

Lunar data:

illumination 99.9%

age: 15.4 days

magnitude: -12.67

distance from Earth: 382,117 km

azimuth: 62.8°

altitude: 1.8°

Camera Settings:

Canon EOS M50

Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm

ISO 400 - f/8 - 1/1250 sec

Least Flycatcher photographed earlier in the fall. Scientific name: Empidonax minimus

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Perhaps the most familiar member of the difficult-to-identify Empidonax group, the Least Flycatcher is a characteristic bird of large shade trees; its presence is most easily detected by its call. An incubating bird is surprisingly tame and will often allow itself to be touched or even lifted off the nest.

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#flycatchersofinstagram

#leastflycatchers

#leastflycatcher

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#best_birds_of_ig

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@kings_birds_

#your_best_birds

#rspb_love_nature

#nuts_about_birds

@nuts_about_birds

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#beautifulbirds50

@beautifulbirds50

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#1birdshot

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#clixofnature

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CrHjdrwvHNk/

Eastern Kingbird. Scientific name: Tyrannus tyrannus

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🌳 See also www.flickr.com/clixofnature🐦

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INTERESTING FACTS

The Eastern Kingbird is highly aggressive toward nest predators and larger birds. Hawks and crows are attacked regularly. ...

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Despite its name, its range extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.

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A group of kingbirds are collectively known as a "coronation", "court", and "tyranny" of kingbirds.

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#easternkingbirdsofinstagram

#easternkingbirds

#easternkingbird

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@kings_birds_

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#rspb_love_nature

#nuts_about_birds

@nuts_about_birds

#wildlife_addicts

#wildlife_vision

#beautifulbirds50

@beautifulbirds50

#nature_brilliance

#birdlovers

#birdphotography

#pocket_birds

#exclusive_wildlife

#uk_wildlife_images

#naturelovers

#birds_illife

@birds_illife

#nature_seekers

#bestbird_shots

#animalelite

#ukwildlifeimages

#greatcrestedgrebe

#BBCwildlifePOTD

#1birdshot

@1birdshot

#naturettl #spectacularbirdphotos

#clixofnature

This is a side view of the remote and deserted Hypapantē monastery in Meteora, Greece, at sunset. In 1367 the abbey was nested within the yawning cave of a craggy rock formation in the same way an eagle would build its aerie (aka aërie, eyry) upon a clifftop.

Hypapantē is the Greek word for “Candlemas” (Luke 2:22–38). The abbey had been destroyed by fire in 1809 on the instructions of a notorious Ottoman bully, based in Ioannina, then ruined. It has remained uninhabited ever since 1809, despite being restored in 1995-2000. An elevator now stands where a rope ladder once used to hang from.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

A high dynamic range composite of two shots.

The swollen river Pēneiós (after the rains) as it flows beneath a bridge, next to Meteora, Greeece. On this long exposure shot, one can see the silver whirls of the river that Homer described (Iliad, book 2, 753).

The river Peneios (aka Peneus) is the main river of the plain of Thessaly with a total length of more than 124 miles (200 kms). It rises in the Pindus range of mountains, crosses the valley of Tempē (cutting a path between Mt. Olympus and Ossa) and then it flows into the Aegean Sea. In mythology, the god Peneios was son of Oceanus and Tēthys.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

Here are a few lines from Homer’s poetry, mentioning the river:

“…τῷ δ᾽ Ἐνιῆνες ἕποντο μενεπτόλεμοί τε Περαιβοὶ

οἳ περὶ Δωδώνην δυσχείμερον οἰκί᾽ ἔθεντο,

οἵ τ᾽ ἀμφ᾽ ἱμερτὸν Τιταρησσὸν ἔργα νέμοντο

ὅς ῥ᾽ ἐς Πηνειὸν προΐει καλλίρροον ὕδωρ,

οὐδ᾽ ὅ γε ΠΗΝΕΙΩι συμμίσγεται ΑΡΓΥΡΟΔΙΝΗι,

ἀλλά τέ μιν καθύπερθεν ἐπιρρέει ἠΰτ᾽ ἔλαιον…”

—Ὅμηρος, Β, 749–754

🇺🇸🇬🇧 In English:

“…Lovely Titaressos, who into Peneios (Peneus) casts his bright current: yet he is not mixed with the SILVER WHIRLS of Peneios, but like oil is floated along the surface above him: since he is broken from the water of Styx, the fearful oath-river…”

—Homer (Iliad, book 2, lines 749–754)

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CWGbeKZJeAw/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CsRCBK9rLji/

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/CHayISGA0io/

Male House Sparrow hovering to get insect from this weed. (Scientific name: Passer domesticus). This short quick action caught me by surprise as my shutter speed was only at 1/500. I kinda like the motion blur on the wings though. More engaging I think.

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🌳 See also www.flickr.com/clixofnature🐦

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#housesparrowsofinstagram

#housespartows

#housesparrow

#bird_brilliance

#birdsofinstagram

#best_birds_of_ig

#kings_birds_

@kings_birds_

#your_best_birds

#rspb_love_nature

#nuts_about_birds

@nuts_about_birds

#wildlife_addicts

#wildlife_vision

#beautifulbirds50

@beautifulbirds50

#nature_brilliance

#birdlovers

#birdphotography

#pocket_birds

#exclusive_wildlife

#uk_wildlife_images

#naturelovers

#birds_illife

@birds_illife

#nature_seekers

#bestbird_shots

#animalelite

#ukwildlifeimages

#greatcrestedgrebe

#BBCwildlifePOTD

#1birdshot

@1birdshot

#naturettl #spectacularbirdphotos

#clixofnature

The Roussanou monastery is bathed in the fading dusk light in Meteora, Greece. The setting sun's golden sunbeams illuminate the Roussanou rock formation (below centre) almost exclusively, in an elitist fashion. The night is about to fall. The following poem lines may accompany the mood of a photographer looking forward to shooting the bright stars in the night sky:

“The broken sunset declined and was gone

and it seemed a delusion to ask for the gifts of the sky.”

—George Seferis (Erotikos Logos, transl. by Edm. Keeley)

The Roussanou monastery (aka St. Barbara's) was built in c.1528 on an extremely precipitous rock formation (1,588 ft or 484 m high) with very limited space available on its plateau. The All Saints' monastery (aka Varlaam abbey, seen in the foreground, bottom, left) receives no direct sunlight; it was built in 1517-1518 on a 1,808 ft high (551 m) rock.

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites. Monks have lived on Meteora since 9th century AD.

On November 5, 2020 a fine mist rose before my camera lens; the lofty rock formations were shrouded in it. Here and there tops of the rocks loomed out of the mist and so did four monasteries (abbeys), too. Swirling and drifting veils of mist in the wind were delicate and spectacular. The ethereal beauty of their sublime flow was evading from being captured, as it was intangible for still photography; capturing was better achieved by means of a timelapse 4k video (link in comment below).

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses were formed 60 million years ago, are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

The four monasteries viewed on the right are from top to bottom:

1.– “Great Meteoron” (aka “Transfiguration of the Saviour”)

2.– “Varlaam” (All Saints' abbey)

3.– “Roussanou” (St. Barbara's )

4.– “St. Nicholas Anapausás” (Anapafsás)

A Virgin Mary’s very old church is nested within a cave 164 ft (50 m) above ground, on a lofty rock formation. The church dates back to 1328 or 1362 A.D., when it was part of an abbey (monastery). It is located 4½ miles (7 km) to the North of the village Vlachava near Meteora, Greece, at a position called Palaeócastro (Greek for Old Castle). Steps were carved out of the rock in 1937.

The name of the church is “Virgin Mary In A Cave” (Panaghía hē Spēlaeōtissa) or “Virgin Mary at Mēkanē” (Παναγία ἡ Σπηλαιώτισσα ἢ τῆς Μήκανης), but the locals simply call it Palaeopanayiá (Palaeopanaghiá, Παλαιοπαναγιά). Palaeopanayiá is dependent on St. Stephen’s monastery (Meteora).

Meteora is the name of the group comprising many impressive and lofty rock formations: The height of the sandstone megaliths ranges between 1,000-2,067 ft (300-630 m). The rock masses which were formed 60 million years ago are geologically unique and listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

The silhouette of a dead tree in the foreground can be thought as an ominous sign: the lifeless tree coexists in the very same frame with a wind turbine. There are a whole lot more of them (wind turbines) on the mountain peak “Katara” in Epirus, Greece. The most picturesque and unspoiled autumnal scenery could once be admired in lovely Epirus. Then, the wind turbines grew on the mountains…

One had earlier thought that renewable technologies would be environmentally-friendly, but we now comprehend that wind farms cause more environmenal impact than previously thought. The insatiable demand for energy is only a symptom of the disease: us, humans (there are almost eight billion of us).

The planet is facing a serious Overpopulation issue because he Earth's resources are finite. If our planet dies, how can mankind carry on with surviving? Should population control be thought as a blessing rather than curse…?!