Meteora

[elsid]

The Metéora literally "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" — etymologically related to meteorology) - is a formation of immense monolithic pillars and hills like huge rounded boulders.
It is also associated with one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece.
Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria I, II, IV, V and VII.
The above was taken from Wikipedia.
The photos that follow were taken with the D810 + 2/28 AI. As you see there were heavy clouds.
The last picture taken with D500 + 300mm PF.

[Akira]

What a fascinating scenery!  These images only make me want to go there.  I especially like the second one from the last: the contrast between the peculiar rocky mountains and and the village is other-worldly.

[Mongo]

Mongo agrees with Akira - fascinating ! The images really take you there and make you want to go there. #6 is Mongo's favourite for the strong contrast as well as the contrast of urban and natural surrounds.

[elsid]

Akira, Mongo, thank you for your comments. The place is worth visiting. It is well known. There have been a couple of movies with scenes shot on the rocks with the monasteries. If I remember well, one of them was a James Bond movie. I was there for a weekend but the weather was bad.
Saturday was raining all day. The pictures were taken on Sunday

[Frank Fremerey]

I have seen a lot of photos of this scene and you managed to
outshoot them all. You chose the perfect light and angle. Applause.

[elsid]

Thank you Frank for your kind words. Coming from a professional, it is encouraging for me the hobbyist.

[atpaula]

I´d like to make Akira's and Mongo's my words.
Congrats,

[Akira]

Akira, Mongo, thank you for your comments. The place is worth visiting. It is well known. There have been a couple of movies with scenes shot on the rocks with the monasteries. If I remember well, one of them was a James Bond movie. I was there for a weekend but the weather was bad.
Saturday was raining all day. The pictures were taken on Sunday

Thanks for the details, Elsid.  Bad weather is not all that bad.  The unique black and white patterns of the mountains should be better enhanced by the rain.

[elsid]

Thank you very much Aguinaldo for taking the time to comment. I like your name, I find it sounds exotic.

[Jakov Minić]

Elias, these are truly stunning images as others have already mentioned!!! Well done!

[John Geerts]

Indeed, very impressive.

[Frank Fremerey]

Thank you Frank for your kind words. Coming from a professional, it is encouraging for me the hobbyist.

I am not professional in most fields of photography. I can shoot decent food, portraits and interior architecture, but I am in no way a talented shooter like many hobbyists are plus my tight schedule does not leave time for many hobby shoots. Maybe when I am retired and the kids are up on their own feet in 15, 20 years...

[elsid]

Jakov, John, Thank you for your comments. I went to Meteora with the Greek Bird Watching Society to see and photograph, mainly, the Egyptian Vulture and other birds. We saw no sign of the vulture and most activities were cancelled due to heavy rains. Close ups and landscapes was the alternative (I would have shot these anyway, you cannot resist this landscape).

[elsid]

Reply to #11.
Frank, Judging from your participation in the NG site, you have a very trained eye and considerable experience, as most of the other participants of course. Therefore, your comment was a compliment to me, as I started being "serious" about photography about 3 years ago.
By the way, you shoot food but are you a good cook?

[elsid]

4 more pictures from Meteora