When you hear the word “landscape”, what comes to mind? Mountains, hills or countryside? In fact, landscape in a broader sense means “all visible objects of a certain territory”, which include bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea. In the field of photography, shooting such areas belongs to the category of seascapes, moreover, the sea may not necessarily be the main subject of photography — a variety of water objects are usually present in the seascape, ranging from the ocean and rivers to waterfalls and lakes.
These natural and artificial territories are some of the most beautiful and exciting places in the world. Today we will take a look at eight of them. They represent exactly the places that inspire us to travel, filling us with the spirit of adventure. But photos of these places also make us want to live a better, more meaningful and fulfilling life.
1. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes, is a series of 16 lakes that are connected by magnificent waterfalls. The lakes are located in the National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are able to change their color from azure and green to gray and blue. Due to the travertine deposit (powdery white limestone rock) lying under the lakes, the water in them always remains crystal clear. The amazing thing is that lakes are creations of nature and that’s all. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must-visit for photography or nature lovers. Nowhere in the world can you see such a wonderful combination of lakes, waterfalls, rivers and forests in one place. (Photo: Jack Brauer)
2. Abraham Lake in Canada
Visit Abraham Lake in winter and you will see an incredible natural phenomenon — frozen air bubbles under water. Often, the appearance of such bubbles is attributed to the presence of methane in the water, which is trying to come to the surface. Bubbles frozen in icy waters from November to March give a stunning view to this artificial lake. The surface of the lake is very slippery, and the thickness of the ice can vary from 5 to 25 cm. There are also cracks and crevices on the ice covering the lake, which make visiting this water attraction a real adventure, especially for photographers (Photo: Emmanuel Coupe Kalomiris).
3. Lake Hiller, or Pink Lake, Australia.
To believe in the existence of this natural wonder, you need to see this lake with your own eyes. Lake Hiller, located in Western Australia, is shocking in its color at first glance — it’s pink! Scientists are confused because they cannot understand why the water here is bright pink, although many believe that this is caused by the reaction of sea salt to sodium bicarbonate. Another option is the presence of a red halophilic bacterium in salt crusts. Interestingly, the color is permanent and, moreover, has coloring properties. When the water from the lake is collected into the container, it turns pink. (Photo: Vusan Alekeberov)
4. Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay (or “Bay of Descending Dragons”) in Quang Ninh Province in the northeast of Vietnam, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit place. There are about 1,600 limestone islands in the bay, crowned with lush vegetation. Among these islands you can find hidden lagoons, beautiful beaches, countless caves and grottoes of all shapes and sizes — places that await their explorers. It is easy to understand why this seascape is often included in the lists of natural wonders of the world. Photo: (Air Pano)
5. Lake Baikal, Russia
Visit Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake on Earth, in winter and you will be one of those lucky people who are lucky enough to see the supernatural miracle of nature. During the cold months, Lake Baikal freezes, and the combination of wind, temperature fluctuations, frost and sun lead to the appearance of faults and the formation of irregularities. These masses of broken ice have a magnificent turquoise color and look like shards of glass that burst out of the lake, rising high into the sky. The ice hill can reach 15 meters in height, shimmering like a giant stone on the surface of an ice-bound lake. Baikal, which is more than 25 million years old, is a natural wonder and one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. Incredibly, this is where one fifth of the world’s freshwater reserves are located. (Photo: Alexey Trofimov)
6. Wuhua Hai or Lake of Five Colors, China
Wuhua Hai in Jiuzhaigou Valley, China is a shallow lake filled with relict fallen trees visible through crystal clear waters. The multicoloration of the lake arose due to the reaction of the trees lying in the lake to certain minerals. The name — the Lake of Five Colors — was due to the fact that at any time of the year there are at least 5 different colors in the lake. This pearl of Jiuzhaigou is also called Peacock Lake. (Photo: All That is Interesting)
7. Canio Cristales or the River of Five Colors, Colombia
Come to Caño Cristales at the right time and find out why it is called the most beautiful river in the world. For most of the year, the bottom of this river is covered with green moss. But just once a year, between the wet and dry seasons, in September or November, this river simply explodes with a variety of colors. The unique plants that line the river bottom are called Macarenia clavigera. Only at certain times of the year they turn bright red, and in combination with yellow sand and blue water they present an unforgettable picture. (Photo: Twisted Sifter)
8. Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina
The roaring Iguazu Waterfalls are located on the border of Brazil with Argentina. 270 waterfalls stretch 1.7 miles wide, and some of them can reach 269 feet in height. It is better to look at them from the Brazilian side, standing on a U-shaped ledge called the Devil’s Throat. Here, the water falls with such tremendous force that there is a constant booming roar and a cloud of spray. Surrounded by lush jungles with tropical plants and animals, Iguazu Falls are one of the most beautiful places not only in South America, but also around the world. (Photo: Andrew Murray)
English 
Russian 
German 
Polish