Breathtaking Nature Photos

Blue butterflies 

Ice canyon - Greenland

Sunset at Norway fjord 

Birds, Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland, Canada

Dew drop flowers on a branch

 Lava from a volcano in Hawaii flowing into the Pacific Ocean

The Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

A monster tornado, Alvo, Nebraska

Kelimutu Lakes ,Flores Island, Indonesia

Blue Thunder over the desert

Antarctic penguins 

Durdle Door, England 

Rainforest

Huang Shan mountain, China

Spring Landscape

Plitvice lakes, Croatia 

Chiapas, México 

Green Coast 

Beautiful tree 

Coconut palm on a desert island, Maldives 

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An Astounding 10 Table-top Mountains

1.  Mount Roraima - Venezuela / Brazil / Guyana

Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepui plateau in South America.First described by the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh in 1596, its 31 km2 summit area is defended by 400-metre-tall cliffs on all sides. The mountain includes the triple border point of Venezuela,Brazil andGuyana.

Mount Roraima lies on the Guiana Shield in the southeastern corner ofVenezuela's 30000 km2 Canaima National Park forming the highest peak ofGuyana's Highland Range. The tabletop mountains of the park are considered some of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to some two billion years ago in the Precambrian Era. 

2.  Table Mountain - South Africa 

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.

The main feature of Table Mountain is a level plateau approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi)from side to side, surrounded by steep cliffs. The plateau, flanked by Devil's Peak to the east and by Lion's Head to the west, forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town and its Table Bay harbour, and together with Signal Hill form the natural amphitheatre of the City Bowl.

The highest point on Table Mountain is towards the eastern end of the plateau and is marked by Maclear's Beacon, a stone cairn built in 1865 by Sir Thomas Maclear for trigonometrical survey. It is 1,086 metres (3,563 ft) above sea level, about 19 metres (62 ft) higher than the cable station at the western end of the plateau.

The flat top of the mountain is often covered by orographic clouds, formed when a south-easterly wind is directed up the mountain's slopes into colder air, where the moisture condenses to form the so-called "table cloth" of cloud. 

3. Autana Tepui - Venezuela

Autana, the tree of life, is a spectacular tepui located in the Amazonas state in Venezuela, part of the Guiana Shield. It stands 1,220 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. A unique cave runs from one side of the mountain through the other. 

4. Ptari Tepui - Venezuela

Ptari Tepui's sheer rock walls are so isolated, it is believed a high number of endemic plant and animal species could be found there.

5. Ben Bulben - Ireland

Ben Bulben is a large rock formation in County Sligo, Ireland. It is part of the Dartry Mountains, an area sometimes called "Yeats Country". Ben Bulben is listed as a protected structure. Ben Bulben was formed during the Ice age, when large parts of the Earth were under glaciers. It was originally merely a large ridge, however the moving glaciers cut into the earth, leaving a distinct formation, now called Ben Bulben.

Ben Bulben hosts a unique variety of plants, possessing some organisms found nowhere else in Ireland. Many are arctic-alpine plants, due to the mountain's height, which allows for cooler temperatures than is normal. These plants were deposited when the glaciers that created Ben Bulben melted. Insects, wild hares, and foxes inhabit Ben Bulben.

6. Auyantepui - Venezuela

Auyantepui  which in the language of the native Pemon people means "Devil's Mountain", is the most visited and famous tepui (table-top mountain) in Venezuela. It is one of the largest (but not the highest) tepuis with an area of 700 km² in the Guayana Highlands and is located in the Gran Sabana region in Bolivar State. Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, drops from a cleft near the summit. The falls are 979 meters (3,212 ft) high, with an uninterrupted descent of 807 meters (2,648 ft).

7. Grand Mesa - USA

The Grand Mesa is a large geologic formation in western Colorado in the United States. The largest mesa in the world, it has an area of about 500 square miles (1300 km²) and stretches for about 40 miles (65 km) east of Grand Junction between the Colorado River and the Gunnison River, it's tributary to the south. The north side of the mesa is drained largely by Plateau Creek, a smaller tributary of the Colorado. It rises about 5,000 feet above the surrounding river valleys, including the Grand Valley to the west, reaching an elevation of about 11,000 feet (4,000 m), with a maximum elevation of about 11,237 feet (Crater Peak). Much of the mesa is within Grand Mesa National Forest. Over 300 lakes, including many reservoirs created and used for drinking and irrigation water, are scattered along the top of the formation.

8. Mount Conner - Australia

Mount Conner, also known as Attila and Artilla, and occasionally found as Mount Connor, is a mountain reaching to 859 m (2,818 ft) above sea level and to 300 m (984 ft) above ground level. It is located southeast of Lake Amadeus in the southwest corner of the Northern Territory, 88 km (55 mi) east-southeast of Uluru/Ayers Rock at the border of the vast Curtin Springs cattle station. Mount Conner is a flat-topped and horseshoe-shaped inselberg, part of the same vast rocky substrate thought to be beneath Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta/Olgas. It can easily be confused with Uluru, since it can be seen from the road to Uluru and Kata Tjuta, when approaching from Alice Springs. It was named Mount Conner by William Gosse in 1873 after M. L. Conner, a South Australian politician who assisted many of the early settlers in Australia.

9.  Kukenan - Venezuela

Kukenan is a tepui in Guayana Region, Venezuela. It is 2,680m (8,793 ft) high and about 3 km (1.9 mi) long. The 674m (2,211 ft) Cuquenan Falls is located at the south end of the tepui.Kukenan is located near Mount Roraima, a much more famous tepui to the north-west. It is more difficult to climb, so it is ascended much less frequently than Mount Roraima.

10. Sarisariñama - Venezuela

The Sarisariñama tepui is a mountain in the Jaua-Sarisariñama National Park at the far south-west of Bolívar State, Venezuela, near the border with Brazil. Altitude: 300 - 2,350 metres. The name of the mountain originates from the tale of local Ye'kuana Indians about an evil spirit living in caves up in the mountain and devouring human flesh with a sound "Sari... sari...". The tepui is in one of the most remote areas in the country, with the closest road being hundreds of miles away.

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List Of 11 Most Spectacular Natural Bridges And Arches

1. Durdle Door - England

Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, England. It is privately owned by the Welds, a family who own 12,000 acres (50 km²) in Dorset in the name of the Lulworth Estate. It is open to the public. The name Durdle is derived from an Old English word 'thirl' meaning bore or drill.The arch has formed on a concordant coastline where bands of rock run parallel to the shoreline. Here the rock strata are nearly vertical, and the bands of rock are quite narrow. Originally a band of resistant Portland limestone ran along the shore, the same band which can be seen one mile down the coast forming the narrow entrance to Lulworth Cove.

2. Rainbow Bridge National Monument - USA

Rainbow Bridge National Monument is administered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, southern Utah, USA. Rainbow Bridge is often described as the world's highest natural bridge. The span of Rainbow Bridge was reported in 1974 by the Bureau of Reclamation to be 275 feet (84 m), but a laser measurement in 2007 has resulted in a span of 234 feet (71 m). At the top it is 42 feet (13 m) thick and 33 feet (10 m) wide. Rainbow Bridge is made from sandstone formed during the end of the Triassic and the Jurassic periods.

3. Sipapu Bridge - USA

Sipapu Bridge is a natural bridge or arch located in the Natural Bridges National Monument in the U.S. state of Utah. The bridge spans White Canyon.

Sipapu was long reported to have a span of 268 feet by the National Park Service, ranking it as the fourth longest natural arch in the world. A more accurate measurement obtained by laser survey in 2007 revealed the measurement to be a significant overstatement. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society has published a revised span of 225 feet, demoting the arch to a seventh place ranking.

Based on specific criteria that separate natural arches from bridges, Sipapu is still ranked as the second longest natural bridge after the more famous Rainbow Bridge National Monument, also in Utah.

4. El Arco - Mexico

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, or Lands End, Cabo San Lucas is a distinctive rock formation at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas, which is itself the extreme southern end of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. The arch is usually known as El Arco  in the town of Cabo San Lucas. This spot is also a popular gathering area for sea lions. Also, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is a 200-foot (61 m) high granite rock.

5. Kentucky Natural Bridge - USA

Kentucky Natural Bridge is the centerpiece of Natural Bridge State Park, a Kentucky state park located along the Middle Fork of the Red River, adjacent to the Red River Gorge Geologic Area and surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Natural Bridge which is natural sandstone arch spans 78 ft or 24 meters and is 65 ft or 20 m high. The natural process of weathering formed the arch over millions of years.

6. Xian Ren Qiao - China

Xian Ren Qiao (also known as Fairy Bridge), in Guangxi Province, China, with a span of about 295 feet (90 m), and a height of the opening of 210 feet (64 m), appears to be the largest natural bridge in the world.

7. Velika Prerast - Serbia

Velika Prerast ("Large Natural Bridge") is situated on the Vratna River in the cliffs about 200 yards behind the Vratna Monastery in the small village of the same name.  Vratna is about 33 kms (20 miles) from the town of Negotin in northeastern Serbia.  The span is reported at 92 feet with a height of about 100 feet. It is a few hundred feet upstream from another large arch, Mala Prerast.

8. Natural Bridge - USA

Natural Bridge, in Rockbridge County, Virginia is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small tributary of the James River) has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming an arch 215 ft (66 m) high with a span of 90 ft (27 m). It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed. Natural Bridge has been designated a Virginia Historical Landmark and a National Historical Landmark.

The Natural Bridge was a sacred site of the Native American Monacan tribe, who believed it to be the site of a major victory over pursuing Powhatans centuries before the arrival of whites in Virginia.

9. The Bridges of wonder - Bulgaria

The Bridges of Wonder are truly wonderful rock formations in Bulgaria.The “bridges” were formed by the erosive activity of the once high-water river. It transformed the marble clefts into a deep water cave, the ceiling of which whittled up through time and collapsed, allegedly during an earthquake. Geologists suppose that the water carried the debris away.

10.Pravicka Brana - Czech Republic

This splendid rock formation is located in Bohemian Switzerland. This area is also known as Czech Switzerland, a picturesque region in the north-westernCzech Republic. Vault is of 26.50 m, width of 7 to 8 m, height: 21 m.

11. Pont d’Arc - France

The beautiful Pont d’Arc is a great natural bridge located in the south ofFrance. The bridge has a width of 60 meters and a height of 45 meters and was carved out by the Ardeche River. It is a very popular canoeing and kayaking area and is heavily visited by tourists. Pont is French for bridge.

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10 Countries With Most Bicycles Per Capita

There are more than a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as automobiles. In recent years bike production had climbed to over 100 million per year (compared to 50 million cars). Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and since when have been and are employed for many uses: recreation, work, military, show, sport etc. For example in the USA, people use bikes for slimming and better feeling because cycling burns 600 calories an hour, but in China or other countries people use bikes mostly for transportation needs. For these reasons in some countries bikes are especially popular. There are top 10 countries with most bicycles per capita:

10. China

- People: 1,342,700,000
- Bicycles: >500,000,000
- Cyclists: >37.2%

Fact: 60 percent of local cyclists in Shanghai (most populous city in China) pedal to work every day. The city is home to 9,430,000 bicycles and 19,213,200 people.

9. Belgium

- People: 10,827,519

- Bicycles: 5,200,000

- Cyclists: ~48%

In Belgium 8% of all trips are made by bike. The average distance cycled per person per day is 0.9 km. Cycling is a national sport for the Belgians. Belgians are very serious about their bike. A real Belgian keeps an expensive, quality bike well maintained with functioning breaks and inflated tires and usually wears a helmet and a bright yellow vest to make him or herself visible to car.

8. Switzerland

- People: 7,782,900

- Bycicles: 3,800,000

- Cyclists: ~48.8

In Switzerland 5% of all trips and 10% of trips to work are made by bike. Switzerland is acycling country. Here this is more than just an activity, it is a healthy way to enjoy the nature and the hospitality of local people. The Swiss even have “Bike to Work“ campaignswhen employees ride their bike to work.

7. Japan

- People: 127,370,000

- Bicycles: 72,540,000

- Cyclists: ~56.9%

In Japan 15 percent of trips to work are made by bicycle. In recent years more than 10 millions bikes are sold every year. In Japan bicycles are widely used as an alternative to motorcars. A lot of people use them to ride to the train stations. In nowadays more and more Japanese are taking up bicycling to work for health reasons and to avoid traffic jams and crowded trains. Many people don’t lock their bicycles even when they leave their bikes outside railroad stations all day or overnight.

6. Finland

- People: 5,380,200
- Bicycles: 3,250,000
- Cyclists: ~60.4%

In Finland 9% of all trips are made by bike. The average distance cycled per inhabitant per day is 0.7 km. Fins ride bicycles without reference to the age or social status, both children and grown-ups: tourists and housewives, pensioners and students. Although the cycling season in this country  traditionally starts in spring or summer, some fans of bikes is not afraid of neither the rain, nor slush, nor event winter snowstorms. The love of Fins cyclists to the bicycles can be compared with their love to dogs, or to fishing, or to sauna.

5. Norway

- People: 4,943,000

- Bicycles: 3,000,000

- Cyclists: ~60.7%

In Norway 4% of all trips are made by bike. In Norway, with a population of 4,943 million people and 3 million bicycles, 60.000 bicycles disappear each year, never to be seen by their owners again.Most bicycles are stolen from places owners assume are safe. Experienced thieves can take even locked bikes in about 10-20 seconds.On the streets, the value of a stolen bicycle is approximately 5-10% of the bicycle’s original retail value, with an inverse relationship between value and percentage worth on the street. About 10% of the stolen bicycles are exported to Russia and Eastern Europe. 

4. Sweden

- People: 9,418,732

- Bicycles: 6,000,000

- Cyclists: ~63.7%

In Sweden 9% of all trips are made by bike. The average distance cycled per person per day is 0.7 km. The bicycle in Swedish family is a necessary thing such as a TV-set. For Swedish people bike is even more valuable than a TV. Often a family has a few different bicycles, depending on the number of members of a family and their age.

3. Germany

- People: 81,802,000

- Bicycles: 62,000,000

- Cyclists: ~75.8%

In the Germany 9% of all trips are made by bike. The average distance cycled per inhabitant per day is 0.9 km. Cycling is ingrained in the German culture. It is rare to find an adult German who did not grow up riding a bike and whose children, parents, and even grandparents probably still ride bikes. This fact makes drivers and pedestrians understanding and accommodating to bicycle riders (unlike in the US).

2. Denmark

- People: 5,560,628

- Bicycles: 4,500,000

- Cyclists: ~80.1%

In the Denmark 18% of all trips are made by bike.The average distance cycled per person is 1.6 km. Cycling is generally perceived as a healthier, cheaper, environmentally friendlierand often even quicker way to travel around towns than car or public transport and it is therefore municipal policy for the number of commuters by bike to go up to 40% by 2012 and 50% by 2015. In Copenhagen (the capital of Denmark) 37% of all citizens ride their bike on a daily basis. The local town hall even offers the visitors rental bikes for free.Interesting fact: the average travelling speed in Copenhagen is 16 kph for cyclists and 27 kph for cars.

1. Netherlands

- People: 16,652,800

- Bicycles: 16,500,000

- Cyclists: ~99.1%

In the Netherlands 27% of all trips and 25% of trips to work are made by bike. The average distance cycled per person per day is 2.5 km. Holland and bicycles go together like bread and jam. Despite the recession the cycle-happy Dutch are still spending a lot of money on their bicycles - nearly 1 billion euros’ worth a year. About 1.3 million bicycles were sold in the Netherlands in 2009, at an average price of 713 euros ($1,008) each. Amsterdam (the capital and largest city of the Netherlands) is one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in the world. It has 400 km of bike lanes and nearly 40% of all commutes in Amsterdam are done on bike. Strangely, most cyclists don’t wear helmets. And bike theft is a big problem, with about one of five (20%) bicycles being stolen each year.

USA (For Comparison)

- People: 310,936,000

- Bicycles: 100,000,000

- Bicylists: ~32,2%

In the USA only 0,9% of all trips are made by bike. The average distance cycled per person is 0.1 km.

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