The Promenade d’Anglais in the French city of Nice is one of the oldest urban beachfronts in the world. In English, the name translates to Promenade of the English because at the beginning of the early 1800s, primarily British noblemen and aristocrats came here to spend their winter vacations in the warmth of the Mediterranean. Later, the first hotels were built at the sea, and a walkway at the coast came into being. The pictures were shot in February 2019.
The island of Fuerteventura is well known for the strong winds hitting it frequently and making for solid waves. These circumstances were not very favorable to seafarers but are very welcome today to many birds living on the island and to the surfers visiting it for the waves. In fact, the name of the land itself, Fuerteventura, points to this natural phenomenon as it means nothing else than solid wind.
Ashore of the Sahara in the Atlantic Ocean, there is a group of islands called the Canaries. They belong to Spain and are renowned for their mild weather and beautiful nature. One of these islands is called Fuerteventura. Due to its proximity to Africa and the Sahara, the weather here is quite dry; it rarely rains, and the landscape is shaped to a large degree by dunes and deserts. Often, dust sweeps across the island and makes for exciting moods.
Shot in November 2018
Pictures in sequence: Brooklyn Bridge, Flatiron Building, United Nations Headquarters, View of Manhattan with One World Tower, Empire State Building at Sunset, View of Statue of Liberty at Sunset, St. Patricks Cathedral
Shot in April and May 2018
For centuries, Scotland was the land of the Clansmen. The country was divided and governed by families like the MacDonalds, Camerons, or MacKenzies. These had their own tartans, traditions, and allegiances and were interlocked in a fight for influence and wealth. They had a deep connection and history with the land they occupied and an immense pride to be fierce fighters and survivors of the north. It was seldom, though, that they agreed on anything politically, it needed an outside force – a common enemy – to gather the concurring clans like in the wars led by national heroes like William Wallace (his monument is seen in the last picture), Robert the Bruce or lastly Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. That enemy, of course, was England. After the shattering battle of Culloden, in which the Scottish forces lost against the English king, the history of the clan ships ended. Though their traditions and history can be seen all over the country – the spirit of fierce warriors and the deep connection to their native land can be felt and is still there.
Winter is coming to an end and soon nature will awake anew.
Impressions of the last days of fog and snow.
Shot in March 2019.
Michael Hoffman Photography 