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PHOTO STORIES
 

There is a story behind every photo - the location of the photo, the creation of the photo, sometimes also the path the photo has taken since its creation. With all my photos, I want to take you through these stories. Today we start with the first larger batch of them. PS I give names to photos only when absolutely necessary. I leave the name imagination up to you. Still, to understand which is photo which, they have numbers.
8/11/2022, Dan

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The central Iceland highlands a few days before the first snow came.

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The central Iceland highlands a few days before the first snow came.

Highlands, Central Iceland

Hop fields

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Hop fields

Slaný, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

An orchard in bloom in the Břevnov monastery garden.

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An orchard in bloom in the Břevnov monastery garden.

Břevnov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic

The eye of the geysir that gave the name to all of them

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The eye of the geysir that gave the name to all of them

Geysir, South Eastern Iceland

A sudden storm coming to central Highlands on the beginning of the winter

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A sudden storm coming to central Highlands on the beginning of the winter

Highlands, central Iceland

A little forest in the middle of the fields

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A little forest in the middle of the fields

Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

Two windsurfers before catching the wind

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Two windsurfers before catching the wind

Rosignano, North Eastern Italy

A kite surfer jumping in a strong wind.

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A kite surfer jumping in a strong wind.

Rosignano, North Eastern Italy

A kitesurfer on a turqoise beach in Italy

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A kitesurfer on a turqoise beach in Italy

Rosignano, North Eastern Italy

A fallen tree during the Autumn

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A fallen tree during the Autumn

Třeboňsko, Southern Bohemia Czech Republic

A wide glacial braided river delta in an agricultural valley, a few kilometers before entering the ocean.

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A wide glacial braided river delta in an agricultural valley, a few kilometers before entering the ocean.

Central North, Iceland undefined

Fallen leaves and algae on the top of Slapy dam near Prague in the Autumn.

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Fallen leaves and algae on the top of Slapy dam near Prague in the Autumn.

The colorful pattern is created by a combination of leaves fallen down from the forests of the surrounding hills and various colored algae that grew massively during the summer. A fisherman makes his way through it to land shortly on the shore.

Slapy Dam, Czech Republic

The Lužnice river flows between two ponds.

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The Lužnice river flows between two ponds.

This unique sight is caused by the river entering a pond system in Southern Czech Republic and flowing through it for a couple dozen kilometers. On some places, like this, it's more water than lands...

I took this photo originally in 2020 on the end of October and keep returning there in the same week every following year because I wasn't too happy with it - even though it won the 3rd place in the Landscape category Czech Nature Photo in 2021. In 2021, the light conditions were bad and worse then, during that photoshoot I actually crashed my drone (entirely my fault and recklesness... good learning for me). That weekend wasn't good at all on so many other levels, too. In 2022, things got better! I was lucky to have a bright day without sunlight that would create unnecessary shadows, yet with dramatically painted sky over the ponds around the river. But yes, I'll keep coming there every year...

Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

Thousands of gulls during the blue hour on the largest Czech pond

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Thousands of gulls during the blue hour on the largest Czech pond

An incredibly large flock of white-headed gulls was getting together right after the sunset at the largest Czech man-made pond Rožmberk.

You can also check a video from this incredible scene here: https://youtu.be/XdsouIa7G7s

Rožmberk pond, Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

An island on a pond during the Fall

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An island on a pond during the Fall

Several species of birds have home on this pond.

I was lucky to capture this view during the sunset... when the sun was illuminating the birds and the islands, but only partly the water. A fairly dramatic color and contrast effect was created...

Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

A tree fallen to a dried up pond in the Fall

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A tree fallen to a dried up pond in the Fall

The Nadějská rybniční soustava ("the Hope pond system") is a part of a large medieval man-made pond system in the Southern Czech Republic. In any time of the year, it's a spectacular location for aerial vistas. The Fall, however, is definitely the best time to come for a flyover.

Rybník Naděje (the pond Hope), Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

A tree fallen to a dried up pond in the Fall

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A tree fallen to a dried up pond in the Fall

The Nadějská rybniční soustava ("the Hope pond system") is a part of a large medieval man-made pond system in the Southern Czech Republic. In any time of the year, it's a spectacular location for aerial vistas. The Fall, however, is definitely the best time to come for a flyover.

Rybník Naděje (the pond Hope), Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

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The Nadějská rybniční soustava ("the Hope pond system") is a part of a large medieval man-made pond system in the Southern Czech Republic. In any time of the year, it's a spectacular location for aerial vistas. The Fall, however, is definitely the best time to come for a flyover.

Rybník Naděje (the pond Hope), Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

Last remaining leaves in an oak forest

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Last remaining leaves in an oak forest

The beautiful oak forest is spectacular in the late Autumn, when the leaves cover the ground entirely and the white branches of the trees create a fantastic contrast with it.

Jevany, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A structure on a wastewater pond.

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A structure on a wastewater pond.

A structure of an unknown kind for me over a wastewater pond in an industrial zone.

I visited this place a few times during a different times of the year. Interestingly, the water color varies greatly, depending on the season, the color of the sky and perhaps the composition of the waste. This was taken in June. In the Fall, the water is more bluish..

Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

A little island with a house during the Fall.

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A little island with a house during the Fall.

The lake is a home to several small islands, some of them with houses.

I was lucky to catch a good time with the tourist boat around... the day was bright and sunny and created the epic contrast scenery.

Žernošecké jezero, Northern Bohemia, Czech Republic

A tiny island on a little pond in the Autumn.

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A tiny island on a little pond in the Autumn.

South Bohemia is a region with hundreds of man-made lakes and ponds dating back to the medieval era. These ponds are scattered by many muddy islands, often providing home to many bird species.

This photo was taken during one of the most colorful autumn days .

Třeboň area, South Bohemia, Czech Republic

"Remízek", the ever so important piece of animal refuge among the fields

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"Remízek", the ever so important piece of animal refuge among the fields

Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A braided river entering the sea in a weather changing between sun and storm

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A braided river entering the sea in a weather changing between sun and storm

South Eastern Iceland

A lone tree on a field shortly after harvest

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A lone tree on a field shortly after harvest

Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A road crossing a vast area of sand and glacial rivers near the shore.

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A road crossing a vast area of sand and glacial rivers near the shore.

Central Southern Iceland

A tree in a late evening sun on a post-winter grass

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A tree in a late evening sun on a post-winter grass

A place of a former Soviet military base during their occupation years in Czechoslovakia. Now the bush took over.

Milovice, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A river mouth to an Austrian alpine lake on a winter day.

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A river mouth to an Austrian alpine lake on a winter day.

Austrian Alps, South Austria

Fallen leaves and algae on the top of Slapy dam near Prague in the Autumn.

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Fallen leaves and algae on the top of Slapy dam near Prague in the Autumn.

The colorful pattern is created by a combination of leaves fallen down from the forests of the surrounding hills and various colored algae that grew massively during the summer. A fisherman makes his way through it to land shortly on the shore.

Slapy Dam, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A boat pier at a lake.

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A boat pier at a lake.

Lago Maggiore, Northern Italy

A dump into a wastewater reservoir in an industrial area.

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A dump into a wastewater reservoir in an industrial area.

The liquid waste is being dumped from the pipes on the bottom into a pond with already sedimented waste.

These dumps are very uninspiring from the ground and nobody comes to visit. However, from a bird's perspective, a wholly different realm opens up. I love flying, whenever possible, above these areas - definitely being avoided by an average tourist. But again, if you look at them with a different perspective, and a different attitude, perhaps, they reveal flowers of a wholly different kind.

Chomutov region, Western Bohemia

_Something_ on a wastewater pond.

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_Something_ on a wastewater pond.

I fully admit I have no idea of the functionality of the device, neither the real cause of the green color. With this blissful ignorance, I really loved how the colors and shapes played out in the sunny June day.

Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic

A classical era sail in the afternoon sun

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A classical era sail in the afternoon sun

A Dutch old-time sail ship cruising between the Croatian Islands of Brac and Hvar.

Island of Brač, Croatia

A glacial river canyon between two snow covered mountains.

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A glacial river canyon between two snow covered mountains.

Friðland að Fjallabaki highlands, Central Iceland

A former volcano filled in by a little glacial lake.

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A former volcano filled in by a little glacial lake.

That day, the weather was crazy even for Icelandic standards, with changes from sunny day to snow storms in less than 20 minutes. So I was quite lucky to capture this high-resolution panorama under just right light conditions.

Friðland að Fjallabaki highlands, Central Iceland

Braided river on a day of the first snow.

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Braided river on a day of the first snow.

That day, the weather was crazy even for Icelandic standards, with changes from sunny day to snow storms in less than 20 minutes. So I was quite lucky to capture this high-resolution panorama under just right light conditions.

Friðland að Fjallabaki highlands, Central Iceland

A cruise boat at the tip of the beach in the early morning

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A cruise boat at the tip of the beach in the early morning

The Zlatni Rat is one of the world's most famous beaches. This photo was taken very much right after the sunrise, when only a few people were there. Soon, thousands and thousands of people flock in.

Zlatni Rat Beach, Island of Brač, Croatia

A boat at the shallow sea waters near the shore

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A boat at the shallow sea waters near the shore

The wonderfully chaotic sea bed of white sand, cliffs and sea weed makes a perfect backdrop for the little boat.

Island of Brač, Croatia

Start of a lava stream (flowing to the left for a few kilometers) at a volcano

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Start of a lava stream (flowing to the left for a few kilometers) at a volcano

Many volcanoes have side openings near to them, from which lava flows (not erupts, or just very lightly) down in long lava creeks. This one was about 3 meters wide at a maximum, but the hot lava lasted for at least a kilometer or two down the valley.

-- I was lucky enough to visit the Fagradalsfjall volcano on an active day, moreover, there were several of these side craters. The opening of this one reminds me of a fire dragon that's been released from the Earth. This was my first day in Iceland and I was concerned about the drone surviving when I flew so close to the lava - some 25 meters - and there indeed was very minor damage, but other than that, the drone survived for the next month in Iceland. Still, this photo from Day 1 remains one of the best from the whole trip.

Fagradalsfjall volcano, South Western Iceland

Cliff covered by autumn moss

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Cliff covered by autumn moss

South Western Iceland

A boat anchors close to the rocky shore

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A boat anchors close to the rocky shore

The white rocky cliffs of many Croatian Islands, including Brač, are an awesome snorkeling location... and due to the pristine clear water, also a fantastic place to photo from the top.

Island Brač, Croatia

A sand drill, bringing a sand on the carrier to create a cone of various segments of a diverse colored sand.

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A sand drill, bringing a sand on the carrier to create a cone of various segments of a diverse colored sand.

A part of a larger industrial area and a port.

The places which we deem ugly, even toxic, places that we associate with destruction of Earth – even those have a hidden side where a new kind of beauty emerges. I love exploring these places, almost giving them a chance to shine, to tell their story, to let them contribute at least some beauty to the world of natural beauty in which they seem to be the opposite.

Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

Just a lone tree in a backyard

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Just a lone tree in a backyard

This photo is one of my favorite examples how a totally mundane area - here, a nondescript backyard in a suburban country area near Prague - can contain true gems, if only you're lucky enough to spot them.

Also, this is not a typical drone photo.. the height is low and the angle unusual for my photos.. but I really love it, so enjoy it with me.

Slaný, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

Not really an island.. just a flock of may water lillies

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Not really an island.. just a flock of may water lillies

Novozámecký rybník, North Bohemia, Czech Republic

A very unfrequented track... with a girl observing clouds from them.

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A very unfrequented track... with a girl observing clouds from them.

Návarov is a little village in a foresty area on the way to the Krkonoše mountains. Not very touristy, it provides very nice hikes outside of the beaten path... and almost abandoned railway tracks.

Vitalina was my couchsurfing guest from Ukraine, staying with me for a while in 2017. Later that year, she was housesitting a cottage in Navarov and I was her guest for a change. On one of our hikes, we discovered this track with zero traffic. She lied on it and counted the clouds... while I watched her from the top and guarded for any coming trains (none came, indeed).

Návarov, North Bohemia Czech Republic

Mud and waste substances from mining operations mix with water in a freezing wastewater pond

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Mud and waste substances from mining operations mix with water in a freezing wastewater pond

Odkaliště Venuše (“Sludge pond Venus”) is probably the last place where you’d look for beauty in the Czech Republic. In the middle of a land destroyed by mining and industrial activity is a pond with a content you don’t even want to think of. Yet - here we are presented with a magically pretty flower… an acid flower, perhaps.

Odkaliště Venuše, Mostecko, North Western Czech Republic

Mud and waste substances from mining operations mix with water in a wastewater pond

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Mud and waste substances from mining operations mix with water in a wastewater pond

Odkaliště Venuše (“Sludge pond Venus”) is probably the last place where you’d look for beauty in the Czech Republic. In the middle of a land destroyed by mining and industrial activity is a pond with a content you don’t even want to think of. Yet - here we are presented with a magically pretty flower… an acid flower, perhaps.

Odkaliště Venuše, Mostecko, North Western Czech Republic

Gulls over a dried out pond

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Gulls over a dried out pond

Hodonín area, Eastern Moravia, Czech Republic

Outlet of a dam

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Outlet of a dam

Eastern Moravia, Czech Republic

Two dead trees among early Autumn colors

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Two dead trees among early Autumn colors

Koněprusy, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A canyon of one of the most beautiful European rivers

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A canyon of one of the most beautiful European rivers

... further photo context coming later ...

Socha River, North Western Slovenia

The tiniest iceland, just for an old defunct power line, on the end of the Autumn.

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The tiniest iceland, just for an old defunct power line, on the end of the Autumn.

... further photo context coming later ...

lake Mývatn, Northern Iceland

A tiny island close to the shore.

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A tiny island close to the shore.

... further photo context coming later ...

Mývatn Lake, Northern Iceland

Random small hot water springs

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Random small hot water springs

... further photo context coming later ...

Mývatn Geothermal Area, North Iceland

A former quarry filled in with water deep in the mountains.

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A former quarry filled in with water deep in the mountains.

... more context about the photo coming soon ...

Rychlebské hory, Northern Moravia, Czech Republic

Last group of trees with leaves amidst a deep autumn forest

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Last group of trees with leaves amidst a deep autumn forest

-- I was concerned that I may not get great photos, coming to the area so late in the autumn with most trees already having shaken their leaves down. However, some patches still could be found and especially in the bright sun of that day they created incredible views.

near Koněprusy, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

Cross Country skiers on a cold January day.

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Cross Country skiers on a cold January day.


This particular region on the top of Krušné Hory mountains is hugely popular among cross skiers and many international competitions take place there regularly.

Krušné hory Mountains, North Western Bohemia, Czech Republic

A highland creek floating over a ferrous soil.

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A highland creek floating over a ferrous soil.

On the top of Krušné hory, you can find many meadows with highland bush and vegetation. It’s also where many creeks originate, join each other and perhaps disappear somewhere in the woods again. When adjusting contrasts of this image, the reddish color of the ferrous soil became immediately visible.

Krušné hory mountains, North Western Bohemia, Czech Republic

Blind stream Musík of the Slapy Dam near Prague in early autumn.

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Blind stream Musík of the Slapy Dam near Prague in early autumn.

-- The Slapy dam - created to protect Prague from previously devastating floods - is another popular destination for my photo trips. Both the water surface as well as surrounding hills and forests and almost an endless source of surprises.

Slapy dam, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

A forest on the top of a mountain ridge.

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A forest on the top of a mountain ridge.

-- I found this place by a pure coincidence - as is the case of quite a few other photos here - when flying from a site that actually didn’t prove to be as appealing as I’d have guessed from the online “satellite” maps (this also happens quite often). But I’m glad I did. And after seeing this photo in large prints, I understand why people sometimes take this part of the forest to their homes!

Krušné hory Mountains, North Western Bohemia, Czech Republic