30 nature photos that will change the way you see the world

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Frank OlitoApr 22, 2020, 21:25 IST
30 nature photos that will change the way you see the world

Nature photography captures majestic moments.Courtesy of Claire Doppert

  • Photographers all over the world have captured some of the most captivating photos of nature.
  • Trees, mountains, and land formations are often the focal points.
  • But, sometimes pictures of animals in their natural habits remind us that we share this planet with other beautiful creatures.
  • Natural events like eclipses, volcanic eruptions, and bizarre cloud formations also make for breathtaking photography.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Nature is all around us. It's the sky above our heads, it's the foliage that changes with the seasons, and it's the wildlife we share it all with.

Photographers all over the world are capturing moments in nature that make us rethink how we see the world, from bears fighting in Alaska to a volcano erupting in Hawaii.

This Earth Day, take a look at some of the most captivating pictures of nature.

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And sometimes those events caused by nature can be downright dangerous.

And sometimes those events caused by nature can be downright dangerous.
A volcanic eruption. Courtesy of Erez Marom

This photo was taken in Holuhraun, which is a lava field located in Iceland. The field of lava is approximately 33 square miles.

Nature also has the ability to create some of the most beautiful natural events, like eclipses.

Nature also has the ability to create some of the most beautiful natural events, like eclipses.
An eclipse in Argentina. Courtesy of Erez Marom

"I had been dreaming of a reflecting eclipse for years, and while it was not a perfect reflection (due to wind), this was pretty much what I had wanted," photographer Erez Marom wrote about the image, taken in July 2019 in Argentina. "I can't believe it actually worked."

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In some parts of the world, nature has the power to trick our eyes into seeing things that aren't actually there, like this stretch of water in the Indian Ocean, which looks like an underwater waterfall.

In some parts of the world, nature has the power to trick our eyes into seeing things that aren't actually there, like this stretch of water in the Indian Ocean, which looks like an underwater waterfall.
Mauritius. Myroslava Bozhko/ Shutterstock

Off the coast of Mauritius, an island in East Africa, there seems to be a river and a waterfall under the surface of the Indian Ocean. In reality, however, there is no waterfall or secret river. It's just sand being pushed off an underwater shelf called the Mascarene Plateau. Nonetheless, the view is breathtaking.

Captured at the right moment, mammatus clouds can make the sky look like it's on fire.

Captured at the right moment, mammatus clouds can make the sky look like it's on fire.
Mammatus clouds in England. Ian Forsyth/ Getty

Mammatus clouds form when cool air that is filled with ice begins to sink around warmer air. The result is a beautiful cloud formation in the sky.

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Mammatus clouds create a satisfying pattern of pouch-shaped formations in the sky.

Mammatus clouds create a satisfying pattern of pouch-shaped formations in the sky.
Mammatus clouds. Barcroft Media/ Getty

These mammatus clouds were found over the plains of Georgetown, Texas.

Clouds are a gorgeous contrast against a deep blue sky.

Clouds are a gorgeous contrast against a deep blue sky.
Clouds. Courtesy of Claire Droppert

Droppert's cloud photos were "taken during a warm and sunny afternoon in June in my hometown in Rotterdam, The Netherlands." She said she likes the "contrasting blue tones" in this photo in particular.

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The beauty of nature can even be seen in the sky.

The beauty of nature can even be seen in the sky.
Clouds and an airplane. Courtesy of Claire Droppert

Dropper said she loves this photo because it demonstrates the unbelievable size of clouds when compared to the small plane.

This cow is also a representation of silence, but the reflection of the animal is even more powerful.

This cow is also a representation of silence, but the reflection of the animal is even more powerful.
A cow in the Netherlands. Courtesy of Claire Droppert

Droppert calls this photo "The Stare," and said, "It lasted for two minutes, at least."

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Meanwhile, this photo of birds is meant to represent silence.

Meanwhile, this photo of birds is meant to represent silence.
Birds on a dock. Courtesy of Claire Droppert

"'The Silence' series is created out of interest for the absence of sound witnessed in different locations around the world," photographer Doppert said.

Some nature photographers use animals to capture emotions. This majestic horse, for example, is meant to represent anger.

Some nature photographers use animals to capture emotions. This majestic horse, for example, is meant to represent anger.
A horse in the Netherlands. Courtesy of Claire Doppert

"The intention in this series is to focus primarily on the character, elegance, power, and nobleness of the horse," photographer Droppert said. "[When] working with tones, colors, and contrasts, a feeling is created that could appeal to your emotions."

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It's survival of the fittest for some, like these two tigers.

It's survival of the fittest for some, like these two tigers.
Tigers fighting. Barcroft Media/ Getty

These two Siberian tigers in Gelände, Sweden, are fighting for the attention of a female.

While some animals get along harmoniously in nature, others fight for survival.

While some animals get along harmoniously in nature, others fight for survival.
Bears fighting. Barcroft Media/ Getty

These two bears are fighting for food in the McNeil River in Alaska.

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Humpback whales call the icy waters of Greenland home.

Humpback whales call the icy waters of Greenland home.
Whales in Greenland. Courtesy of Stian Klo

These whales are swimming off the coast of Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Polar bears, for example, are known as the lords of the Arctic.

Polar bears, for example, are known as the lords of the Arctic.
Polar bear. Steven Kazlowski / Barcroft Media / Getty Images

In this perfectly timed photo, it appears the polar bear is waving to the camera.

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Nature is filled with land formations, mountains, and trees, but they are also filled with animals that call these landscapes home.

Nature is filled with land formations, mountains, and trees, but they are also filled with animals that call these landscapes home.
Flamingo in Aruba. Courtesy of Claire Droppert

"My glamorous model waited patiently for me to capture his perfect elegance," photographer Claire Droppert said.

The Pinnacles in Australia are a natural wonder of the world.

The Pinnacles in Australia are a natural wonder of the world.
The Pinnacles. Photo copyright Mark Gray

The Pinnacles is a rock formation made of limestone in the Nambung National Park in Australia. The 16-foot-tall structures were formed over 25,000 years ago and now attract thousands of tourists each year.

"I was immediately drawn to this group of rocks and captured a number of different angles," photographer Gray said. "This shot was my favorite and if you look very carefully you can just see the ocean in the distance."

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The Coyote Buttes are a breathtaking geological feature on the Utah and Arizona border.

The Coyote Buttes are a breathtaking geological feature on the Utah and Arizona border.
The Coyote Buttes. Crisma/ Getty Images

The Coyote Buttes are known as "The Wave" because of the undulating red and orange rock formations. While it's a popular tourist destination, only 20 visitors are allowed into the region per day to protect its natural beauty.

Some land formations like the famous pitchfork dune in the Namibia desert can also be a breathtaking example of nature at its best.

Some land formations like the famous pitchfork dune in the Namibia desert can also be a breathtaking example of nature at its best.
Pitchfork dune, Namibia. Courtesy of Erez Marom

This photo was taken at sunrise in the Sossusvlei.

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Even the mountains in the Arctic make for gorgeous nature photography.

Even the mountains in the Arctic make for gorgeous nature photography.
The Arctic. Photo copyright Mark Gray

"One of the biggest challenges of shooting the Arctic is just how changeable it is, nothing stays the same for very long," Gray said. "The following day I drove past and stopped in for a look, this scene had changed completely. The foreground ice had disappeared, most likely destroyed or relocated by the tidal movements during the night."

Up close, the Sierra Nevadas seem to be engulfed in a sea of fog and clouds.

Up close, the Sierra Nevadas seem to be engulfed in a sea of fog and clouds.
The Sierra Nevadas. Courtesy of Alex Noriega

The Sierra Nevada mountain range stretches along the eastern border of California.

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Mountains are another popular focal point in nature photography — and for good reason.

Mountains are another popular focal point in nature photography — and for good reason.
Mountains in Norway. Courtesy of Stian Klo

This photo was taken at the Fredvang Bridges in Norway where the massive mountains seem to tower over the water and the road.

Meanwhile, this vertical panorama captures the beauty of what's under the water's surface.

Meanwhile, this vertical panorama captures the beauty of what's under the water's surface.
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Photo copyright Mark Gray

"Once we arrived at Hardy Reef we completed a number of laps of the area at different altitudes and I got to work, capturing a number of vertical and horizontal panoramas," Gray said. "This was my first time shooting vertical panoramas from a helicopter. As expected, the biggest challenge was avoiding the rotors in the top of the frame. I had to lean out of the chopper quite a way in the end but nailed this unique capture of such an incredible part of Australia."

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Sometimes beach landscapes can seem completely out of this world, like this one in Australia.

Sometimes beach landscapes can seem completely out of this world, like this one in Australia.
Port Campbell National Park, Australia. Photo copyright Mark Gray

"I spent a couple of hours working the scene in the dark and finally settled on this unique photo of the 12 Apostles with all the glory of the Milky Way above," photographer Gray said. "When reviewing the photograph, I was pleasantly surprised to have captured the colors of a suspected Aurora on the horizon, or perhaps it was just light reflecting off the lingering sea mist? I guess we will never know."

Beaches also have the ability to capture the world's natural beauty.

Beaches also have the ability to capture the world's natural beauty.
Fiordland National Park in New Zealand. Photo copyright Mark Gray

"What an amazing sunset this was," photographer Mark Gray said. "As the tide raced in I kept relocating my tripod further and further back until the light peaked and I captured this amazing moment."

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While some trees grow together in a forest, some stand alone, like this one in Aruba.

While some trees grow together in a forest, some stand alone, like this one in Aruba.
Aruba. Courtesy of Claire Droppert

The photographer, Claire Droppert said, "This Caribbean gem provides an abundance of opportunities to capture the quintessential feeling of silence in a unique, diverse and stunning landscape Aruba has to offer."

These trees in Mount Rainier, Washington, are even beautiful when hidden under layers of snow.

These trees in Mount Rainier, Washington, are even beautiful when hidden under layers of snow.
Trees in Washington. Courtesy of Alex Noriega

The photographer, Alex Noriega, calls this photo "Hibernation."

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In the winter, trees are dusted with snow, like this forest in the Yellowstone National Park.

In the winter, trees are dusted with snow, like this forest in the Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone. Courtesy of Alex Noriega

In Yellowstone National Park, the most common tree is the lodgepole pine, which covers 80% of the park.

But trees can be even more captivating when they change colors during the fall.

But trees can be even more captivating when they change colors during the fall.
Kashmir Valley. SOPA Images/ Getty

The trees in the Kashmir Valley in India change drastically during the fall.

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The rainbow captured in this photo adds a magical element to the greenery down below.

The rainbow captured in this photo adds a magical element to the greenery down below.
Kauai, Hawaii. Courtesy of Erez Marom

This photo was taken on the island of Kauai, which is known for its tropical rainforest.

The right light can make greenery pop, like this forest in Colorado.

The right light can make greenery pop, like this forest in Colorado.
Colorado. Courtesy of Alex Noriega

This picture was taken in Colorado near the San Juan Mountains, and the photographer, Alex Noriega, calls the image "Limelight."

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