There’s something about being able to look down on life from above. Not only does having an elevated outlook give you a feeling of being “on top of the world”, you get a different perspective on the environment we live in that you never get from the ground.
Whether natural wonders, human-made structures, or just images of our everyday lives, some of the shots being captured by drone photographers, pilots, and others from aircraft are quite breath-taking. Here are 15 for you to enjoy from various locations around the globe:
10. Dragon Falls – Canaima National Park, Venezuela
This is Dragon Falls, part of Angel Falls, or Kerepakupai Vena, in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela. The falls, also known locally as Churun Merun, are the tallest uninterrupted drop on the planet – the total height comes in at 3,211 feet (979 meters). If you want to go there, plan for a jungle expedition between May-November. In the dry season, the water evaporates.
9. Our Lady of Almudena Cemetery – Madrid, Spain
The architecturally designed Our Lady of Almudena Cemetery on the eastern side of Madrid, Spain, is one of the largest in the world. The central shape to represent a basilica and cross was designed in the 1880s. The area covers 120 acres and contains the remains of over five million people.
8. Yorkshire – England
The pilot who took this shot near Leeds in Yorkshire, England is pretty proud and happy to say he thinks he’s got one of the best jobs in the world! Sunsets, sunrises, and views of cities and landscapes like no other. Those are large power stations you can see rising above the early morning mists here.
7. The Painted Desert – Arizona, USA
The red rock, sand, and sediment of the Painted Desert in Arizona desert are something to see. The stripes look like they could have been painted on, but they are residue from millions of years of volcanic activity. The area covers around 93,500 acres and borders on the popular Grand Canyon.
6. Lotus Temple – Delhi, India
The marble Lotus Temple in Delhi India was built in the mid-1980’s. A Baha’i House of Worship, the lotus design was chosen as a symbol to be inclusive of many eastern religions, and therefore to be welcoming to members from any faith. The temple can seat 1300 and is a popular destination for visitors to Delhi.
5. Pacific Flyway – California, USA
At any point along the Pacific Flyway bird migration route, the sight from below the mass movement of millions of birds making their way from north to south is awe inspiring. Captured from above, the numbers and movement are mind-blowing.
4. Central Park – New York, USA
The planners and designers behind New York’s Central Park certainly knew how to maximize the green space available for inner city dwellers either side of it. In the mid-1800’s, a total of 750 acres were set aside for outdoor activities and escape from the gridlock on either side.
3. Mt Taranaki – New Zealand
Mt Taranaki, a popular hiking region in New Zealand’s Egmont National Park, is surrounded by an area of protected native forests and vegetation that varies in type depending on altitude. Shown from a NASA satellite shot taken from space, the protected area reflects the volcanic cone shape of the mountain.
2. Dubai – United Arab Emirates
The biggest city in the United Arab Emirates with a population of over 15 million, Dubai is also home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa – a 160 story tall skyscraper. Once a fishing village, the area has a long history of trade and commerce. Nowadays, Dubai is a popular stopover for shopping and tourism.
1. Tulip Fields – The Netherlands
Simply stunning! Holland, of course, is well known for their tulips, and the canals. On the ground, you can explore both on foot, by bicycle, or by boat. If you’re wondering when the best time to see tulips in full bloom in the Netherlands is – it’s April!