I’ve always been in love with landscapes. Being outside breathing in the pure air of the mountains or the tropical heat of the jungle, landscapes are my absolute favorite thing to photograph. I am passionate about traveling the world on foot and have been an avid hiker and traveler all my life. There are so many more places I want to see that I have to be patient. It is hard being a wanderlust!
One such place I’ve never explore on foot yet is northern California home to John Muir, one of the most revered environmentalist, naturalist, and writers of his days. His work as an environmental philosopher set the tone for the first ever preservation of wilderness in the United States. Later he went on to found the Sierra Club, an environmental conservation organization, and the 211-mile (340 km) John Muir Trail in his beloved Sierra Nevada was named in his honor (a trail I would love to hike!).
His writing has resonated with my soul especially because I share his love and passion for nature. His quotes especially strike a chord with my heart and I often can hear myself whispering them silently while I hike and take in the incredible offering that we’ve been blessed with.
I dedicate this post of my favorite landscapes around the world, to the poetry and mindfulness of John Muir and his legacy of saving some of the most pristine places on earth. Here are his words side by side my photography.
“The mountains are calling and I must go”.
The mountain air of the French Alps
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul”.
The greenery of Iceland
“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!”
The mountains of Nepal
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
The desert of Arizona
“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean”.
The High Andes of Bolivia
“The power of imagination makes us infinite”.
My own backyard
There is so much beauty in this world. Let’s hope it remains for future generations.
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Landscapes.
Wonderful
Thank you!
Your love of nature comes through in your pictures.
Thank you so much! 😊
The world landscapes are gorgeous. Was interesting going country hopping with your snaps.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” Quote of my life, Nicole. Thanks for sharing more of your photos and happy Saturday.
janet
Thanks Janet! I love his work. It is so cold here! Brrr
I’ve only read bits and pieces. I really should dive in more deeply. Just finished a book you might enjoy: “Walking the Nile”, by Levison Wood. Amazing story!
We’re having very high winds and flurries of fat snowflakes (every so often on the latter) today. Spring weather is so crazy!
Thanks Janet! Will have to check that book out!
So many glorious landscapes here. Makes the heart sing. What a world!
Thank you Tish! Agreed!
This is such a beautiful compilation!
Thank you so much!
Nicole, breathtaking vistas…and yes, we must be stewards of the land and the planet.
Thank you Sally! I thought of you as I wrote that last sentence in the post. 😊
What a stunning collection of images! You’ve really captured how beautiful — and how diverse — our wonderful planet is. Well done!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
These pictures are so awesome. I can live another life if these views are guaranteed! Seriously, hiking for these views is so addictive. The best entry for WPC landscape from all I have seen, till now!
Me too! Thanks so much!!! 😊
🙂
wonderful landscapes
Thank you!
This is beautiful! Now the mountains are calling to me!
Thanks! Yes they always call me!
Truly amazing photos! I really like the one of the tents on the mountain side with the clouds rolling by in the background.
Thank you so much!
Gorgeous photos!!
Thank you so much!
So many magnificent landscapes, Nicole. Love your backyard view and also the desert one. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia!
What a fantastic set of images!
Thank you Sue!
wow !
Glad you enjoyed!
Not only have your traveled to many beautiful places, you have an amazing backyard! But then, I think for you, the world is your backyard. I share your dream of wanting to hike the John Muir trail…..someday. And I share your hope that the beauty remains for future generations.
Thanks Lisa!
Nicole, you know how much I love your blog but this post is one of my favorites in a long while. I absolutely love it, your stunning landscape photos and quotes just resonate with love and passion and really speaks to my soul. If there was a prize for the best weekly photo challenge entry you would absolutely win it! 🙂
Why thank you so much Miriam for the kind words. I truly appreciate it! 🙂
You’ve done Muir proud here Nicole – one of my heros as well. Beautifully capture all the way thru
Thank you Tina!
Stunning set of photography ~ and what was so special were the ones that caught my eye were of your “own backyard” ~ fantastic. Nothern California waits for you, and I went there with rather high expectations and it did not disappoint… Big Sur was like heaven to me. Not sure I ever felt so at peace. Look forward to your future post and photos of this great area.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words! 🙂
Wow. the Nepal photo is the killer! All the photos are amazing!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words!
I love your landscape photos and thjs post is just wonderful
Thank you so much! 🌟