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Golden ridges

Grégoire Pansu

France

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The setting sun's light remained filtered for most of the evening. A few rays nevertheless managed to briefly illuminate the cliffs of the left mountain. Numerous flowers including these marsh marigolds lined an almost dry stream, creating a natural leading line through this high-altitude meadow.

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Nominee

Twin peaks

Some of the most beautiful clear-sky light I have ever witnessed. The sun rose right behind the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, forming a crown around it. There was no wind on that cold fall morning, so the scene was perfectly reflected in the lake.

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Beams of dawn

One of the images from the series I captured in the ancestral Fanal forest. In this misty atmosphere, the small tree in the middle caught my eye first, as it resembles a person rejoicing and raising their arms. The other trees around it frame and close the scene.

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Cheering

The indirect light coming from the sky was particularly well-suited to the scene in my opinion. The tree, which immediately evokes the famous white tree of Minas Tirith from The Lord of the Rings, was capturing the soft glimmers and stood out perfectly against the dark volcanic peaks.

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Twilight in Gondor

After a challenging hike, we finally reached a ridge summit. The view was incredible over the entire Riaño mountain range and its reservoir, as the sun slowly set, encircled by clouds. These small wind-twisted trees growing directly from the rock immediately caught my eye, creating a perfect frame.

Honorable Mention

An absolutely perfect sunrise. The fog was like the sea, forming waves and currents that moved quite rapidly and swirled around the cypress trees. I captured the moment when the rising sun's rays touched only the top of this moving blanket of fog, turning it into what looked like molten gold.