Seeing The World Through The Eyes Of A Drone

James Loftus - June 6, 2023

People are used to seeing the world from a flat, horizontal perspective. While we can still be mesmerized by the beauty of nature and all the creatures that inhabit the Earth, our viewpoint is fairly limited from our place on the ground. Drones have been one of the most revolutionary pieces of technology in recent times. They’ve given humans a new vantage point to view the Earth, and the images they’ve taken have given us a new perspective on the world. Have you ever wanted to know what a bird sees as it flies over the Earth? Well, you’re in the right place! We’ve compiled some of the best examples of drone photography that will change your perspective on the Earth. Keep scrolling to see through the eyes of a drone.

Fall From Above

For those who don’t get to enjoy the fall season, this image will give you a fascinating glimpse into the way the world changes as it shifts from summer to winter. This beautiful, winding road is completely surrounded by lush, multicolored trees, and no two trees in this picture appear to have the same combination of colors. This photo gives us a stunning birds-eye view into the natural fluctuations nature goes through as the seasons change. Driving through it will allow you to see some of this beauty close up, but seeing it from above makes it even more awe-inspiring.

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Central Park In The Winter

Central Park occupies a massive space right in the center of New York City. This peaceful oasis in the middle of such a crowded, busy city is many locals’ favorite spot. While Central Park is hugely popular during the summer, it also attracts a crowd during the winter. There’s something peaceful about stepping away from this city into a gorgeous park completely blanketed in snow.

It’s almost hard to believe that you’re only moments away from the hustle and bustle of the city when you wander through Central Park. Seeing it from the perspective of a drone gives us a deeper understanding of just how large this park is. It’s almost unbelievable to think about the urban landscape surrounding this park when you’re walking through its snow-covered grass.

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Looks Like Another Planet

At first glance, you’d probably think you’re looking at a picture taken of the surface of Mars. This image looks like something you’d expect to see from a space telescope rather than a drone! But this isn’t a picture of another planet. This photo was taken by renowned Turkish drone photographer Aydin Buyutas of Arizona’s landscape. Driving through this desert area won’t inspire the same level of awe as seeing the landscape through the eyes of a drone will. Our planet is far more vast and awe-inspiring than we realize.

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A Day At The Beach

Relaxing on the beach is one of the most popular ways to enjoy a vacation. As you lounge in the warm sand and feel the salty ocean breeze on your face, you may not be thinking about the wildlife that’s only a short distance away. This drone photo was taken over a beach in Sri Lanka. Along with the two women on the beach, the stars of this picture are the manta rays. Mana rays usually stick to the bottom of the ocean floor, but sometimes these majestic creatures will rise close to the surface and make themselves known. The women on the beach would have never known they were sharing this beautiful beach day with the manta rays if not for this drone shot.

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Fire & Ice

Lorenda Eeson captured this stunning shot of an Icelandic volcano erupting. The picture isn’t astonishing just because of the dichotomy of the fire and ice sitting side-by-side, but it’s also a perspective that we’d have never seen without the help of drones. Without drones, someone would have had to risk their life hanging out of a helicopter to get this shot. Thanks to these amazing pieces of technology, we can see an overhead view of extraordinary events like this without risking someone’s safety. It almost looks like a scene from an apocalyptic movie!

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Our Impact On The World

There’s a lot of talk about the impact human activities have had on the natural world. Often, these conversations turn to the negative impacts we have on the environment, but this drone photo gives us another perspective. This bird’s-eye view of Shanghai, China, is truly amazing. Despite being one of the most heavily populated metropolises in the world, this city appears to have figured out how to work with nature rather than against it. Seeing the complex freeways running through the trees and the surrounding urban landscape makes it look like humans and nature can learn to coexist peacefully.

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The Perfect Proposal

Falling in love is one of the most treasured and celebrated human experiences. Lovers will go to great lengths to show the depths of their feelings for their partners. Drone photography helped this couple capture their perfect proposal moment, and looking at this photo gives us all warm and fuzzy feelings. After hiking to the top of this mountain, the man gets down on one knee and surprises the love of his life with a ring. The drone captured a moment that will likely be remembered as one of the happiest times of this couple’s life.

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An Unusual Home

Most people will cringe when they first see this picture. You might expect a tale of disaster and death to follow this photo, but you’re not looking at a crashed plane. This Boeing 727 aircraft is actually the home of Bruce Campbell. He transformed this aircraft into an unusual home just outside Portland, Oregon. Campbell lives in this aircraft on 10 acres of dense forest six months out of the year. If you happen to stumble across his home while exploring the vast Oregonian wilderness, then he’ll happily give you a tour! The view from above is shocking, and we can only imagine how intense it would be to come across this plane while hiking through the wilderness.

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A Drone’s View Of Overpopulation

We all know the population on Earth is growing exponentially. We’ve all heard about the risks to the environment and the natural resources we rely on to survive, but it’s hard to picture. Even when you’re smack in the middle of a vastly overpopulated city, you’re still only seeing small snapshots at a time from your limited perspective on the ground.

This drone shot was taken over Mexico City, and it’s startling to see how many buildings are crammed together in such a short space. As of 2023, the population of Mexico City is over 22 million. Those people are packed into an area of only 573 square miles. We need pictures like this to help us visualize how overpopulated certain areas have become around the world.

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Look Into The Eyes Of A Lion

Lions are some of the most powerful and majestic creatures on Earth. These big cats have powerful jaws, run at high speeds, and develop complex family systems unique in the animal world. Most people never see a lion in real life outside of a trip to the zoo, but even then, you won’t get to experience this astonishing perspective. This drone captured a picture that stares directly into the eyes of a lion, and it’s a beautiful glimpse into the natural world. Can you imagine how much more we could learn about the animal kingdom by using drones?

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Among The Clouds

Barcelona’s Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor Church is a stunning piece of architecture and history. You can admire this massive church from the ground, but the view from below doesn’t do it justice. When you see it from this angle, sitting among the clouds, it gives you some insight into the massive undertaking everyone involved in this project participated in. The church appears to be watching over the city from its vantage point in the clouds. Many religious people will feel a sense of peace and comfort when they see this picture.

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A Drone’s View Of Cliff Diving

Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies seek out new heights every year. People will travel for thousands of miles to throw themselves off the edge of a cliff or waterfall. Watching someone participate in this risky activity from the ground is scary enough, but seeing it form this angle is truly terrifying. Not only did the drone capture this person in a perfect T-pose as they descended off the cliff, but it also showed the impressive force of the water. Let us reassure you before you get too worried about the man in this picture. This man is actually a Guinness World Recorder holder, and this photo was taken of him diving off a waterfall in China’s Yellow River.

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An Abandoned City

Drones give us the ability to see glimpses of the past. This picture shows an abandoned city on the east coast of the Black Sea. The Republic of Abkhazia went through a difficult period in the early 1990s. This region went through horrific widespread violence and an attempt at ethnic cleansing. Since the area was so stained by bloodshed and brutality, many locals chose to abandon the area entirely. The result is a city filled with eerie abandoned buildings in various states of decomposition. The dilapidated structures are a powerful reminder of what the locals went through and their commitment to never experiencing that type of violence again.

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An Island Hotel

What does the perfect getaway sound like to you? Do you picture a luxurious hotel situated on an island surrounded by crystal blue water? If that sounds like heaven to you, then you’d love to visit the Aman Sveti Stefan Hotel! This drone captured a picture of this little slice of heaven on Earth, and you’ll be pleased to learn it’s a real place where you can actually stay. This hotel is located on an island in Montenegro, and it’s the perfect getaway spot for those looking for a break from technology and the internet.

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Life Above The Crowds

How many of us have dreamed about building a home on top of a mountain somewhere far above the crowds? While it’s not the most practical dream, it is a reality for certain people around the world. This stunning aerial shot shows the Katshi Pillar, located in the Western Georgian region of Imereti near the town of Chiatura. This impressive rock formation is a natural phenomenon. This is the site of the famous Georgian church and is home to a 59-year-old monk named Maxime Quvtaradze. A large ladder is required to deliver food and other necessities to the monk. This drone shot gives us an interesting view into where he spends his life.

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One Of The Largest Holes In The World

This drone shot features one of the largest and deepest holes in the world as its star. Located in the remote wastelands of Siberia, Russia’s Mir mine for diamonds reaches depths of over 525 meters. It is one of the largest manmade holes in the world, and this mine was fully operational for over 50 years. However, open-pit mining in this location was discontinued in 2001. Still, looking at the result of all those years of mining is pretty terrifying. Can you imagine working in the depths of this mine? It’s one of the eeriest photos on this list simply because the depth is rather terrifying to think about.

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A Bird’s Eye View

Drone footage is often compared to getting a bird’s eye view of the landscape, but we rarely see something like this. This drone is actually capturing the same images that this eagle is seeing. It’s kind of crazy to imagine a flying piece of advanced technology coming across this bird and snapping such a perfectly-timed photo. The poor bird looks pretty startled by the presence of this drone, but we’re glad this picture exists. We know birds soar over us and see things in a way we can’t, but never before have we seen such a clear example of what the birds above us see.

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An Overhead View Of A Shipwreck

Every ocean on Earth is home to shipwrecks. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that some ships will sink, and the passengers and crew will be lost. Shipwrecks are often popular places for divers to explore because they’re full of fascinating pieces of history and often attract a diverse array of wildlife. This drone captured an amazing image of a shipwreck sitting in calm blue water. This shipwreck is located in the Palawan province of Coron, and the ship itself has sat here since the Second World War. There are many shipwrecks in Coron that divers can explore, and this is just one fascinating example.

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Crop Angels

Everyone loves making snow angels during the winter. In fact, it’s one of most people’s cherished childhood memories. But have you ever seen someone try to make crop angels? Probably not because the person is likely to destroy the crops, but that appears to be what’s happening in this shot. A drone flying overhead captured this image of a man lying on top of perfectly planted crops. He’s recklessly relaxed as he sinks into the crops. We can’t help but wonder if he knows the person who planted these crops and got permission to do this. We can’t imagine he would have done this if he’d been the one to put all the hard work into those crops!

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The Landwasser Viaduct

Located in Graubunden, Switzerland, is this iconic piece of scenery. The famous Swiss railway, the Landwasser Viaduct, is a six-arched viaduct that’s been standing tall for over 100 years. This astonishing picture perfectly captures the intensity of the now in Switzerland and the shocking burst of red as the train makes its way through the mountains. If you’re ever in Switzerland and want to experience a view of the world unlike anything else you’ve ever seen, then you need to take a ride on this train! The train looks so peaceful as it winds its way through the snowy landscape, and we can only imagine the passengers feel a similar sense of contentment.

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The Dangerous Side Of Window Cleaning

Skyscrapers are large, impressive buildings that often tower over the surrounding landscape. When most people see skyscrapers, they think of the amazing architecture or the workers inside. Not many people would immediately think about the windows covering these towering structures. But just like any other building, someone has to clean those windows. It’s a thankless, dangerous, and often forgotten job. This drone picture shows a few workers cleaning the windows on the side of this skyscraper, and the result is pretty scary. You need to have a lot of confidence and be comfortable working at extreme heights to do this job!

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A Shopping Mall Like No Other

Plenty of people enjoy heading to the mall for a shopping spree. Malls are filled with a variety of stores that carry everything from clothing to games to electronics. Plus, they usually have incredible food courts filled with choices to suit any craving. This aerial shot appears to show a ship stranded in the middle of Hong Kong. But it’s not a ship! This is an impressively designed shopping mall. You can somewhat see its ship-like appearance from the ground, but seeing it from this perspective is remarkable. The next time you take a trip to Hong Kong, make sure you visit The Whampoa!

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Straight Out Of A Fantasy Movie

This photo looks like something you’d see in a fantasy movie, but this star-shaped fort is located in the village of Bourtange, Groningen, Netherlands. William the Silent is responsible for ordering Fort Bourtange to be built. It was completed in 1593 and experienced its final battle in 1672. Eventually, the fort was converted into a village in 1851. When you visit Fort Bourtange today, you’ll find it transformed into a historical museum. The design is incredibly impressive, especially given the time when it was built. From the ground, you won’t be able to fully experience this structure’s uniqueness, but you can easily see its stunning architecture from the sky!

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A Man And A Whale

Logically, we all know that whales are the biggest animals on the planet. The Antarctic blue whale, weighing 400,000 pounds and reaching 98 feet in length, is actually classified as the biggest animal on the planet. But it’s hard to understand exactly how big these animals are when you have nothing to compare them to. Here is a picture captured by a drone that shows the terrifying difference in size between a whale and a human. The difference is very shocking, and it really makes you reevaluate the way you think about the vastness of the ocean.

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The Plague Fort

Located near St. Petersburg, Russia is an artificial island completely surrounded by water. Nicknamed, “Plague Fort,” this fort holds an abandoned laboratory that was once used to research the plague. Its actual name is Fort Alexander, and the fort holds a dark history. The fort was established by Russian officials after the plague began in 1894. The deadly bacteria was tested on animals in search of a cure. Two researchers died while working at this fort. The risk became too much for Russian officials to justify keeping the fort open. It was closed and abandoned in 1917.

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Grand Belvedere Hotel

This drone shot perfectly captures the majesty of this iconic Swiss hotel on the edge of the Rhone Glacier. This hotel can be found in the Furka Pass, which is one of the snowiest regions in Switzerland. The road this hotel is situated on is considered one of the most iconic, exhilarating, and exciting drives through the Swiss Alps. Can you imagine traversing through these winding mountain roads to end up at such a luxurious hotel? If you ever plan on vacationing in Switzerland and taking a trip through the Alps, then this is one destination you need to add to your itinerary.

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The Mystery Of Crop Circles

Whether you believe in the existence of extraterrestrials and UFOs or not, you can’t discount the vast mystery of crop circles. These strange formations pop up all over the world, sometimes in very remote locations. Some people have tried to explain away crop circles by declaring them all as a prank or a strange disease that infected the crops, but others are sure there’s an otherworldly force at work. Drones have allowed us to capture crop circles in clear detail, and the results are pretty spooky. It certainly does look as if there’s some kind of intent behind these mysterious markings. But so far, no one can say definitively what causes them.

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Privacy Concerns

One of the reasons people have been hesitant to use drones is due to privacy concerns. Drones have the ability to fly far over buildings, and their powerful cameras can allow them to take pictures even through windows. Of course, most people aren’t using their drones for nefarious purposes, but accidents happen. Take this hilarious picture as an example. This woman was trying to enjoy a relaxing day sunbathing on the roof when a drone suddenly appeared. She quickly wrapped herself up in a towel and started chasing the drone with a broom! We’re guessing she didn’t manage to knock it out of the sky since we got this awesome picture!

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This Doesn’t Look Real

This picture looks like the result of some serious photo editing, but it’s actually a remarkable natural phenomenon located in the northern region of Ethiopia. This area experienced a geological depression when three tectonic plates collided. The entire area was shaken up, but the experience resulted in an unreal-looking natural pool. This natural pool in the Danakil Depression is both stunning and 100% safe to swim in.

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A Path Over The Ocean

There are some journies every person should aim to experience at least once in their life. Driving over the Atlantic Ocean on a solid block of concrete is one of those journies! This astonishing drone shot of the Atlantic Ocean Road is an awe-inspiring site. Can you imagine what it must have taken to build this road? It’s a dazzling display of human will and ingenuity. This road opened in 1989 and has become a popular travel route for tourists. You’ll experience a unique view of the ocean while driving over this road that you can’t get from traveling on a boat.

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“The Sleeping Lady”

If you’re a fan of stunning natural features or mountain climbing, then you’ll want to visit this mountain! Mount Susitna is 4,396 feet tall and located in northwest Alaska. Not only does this mountain’s peak have an impressive height, but it also takes on a mysterious shape. Aerial shots taken from above make this mountain appear like a giant lady curled up in the snow asleep. A local legend says a woman from a race of giants has vowed to sleep here until her beloved returns from battle.

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A Terrifying View Of Imminent Danger

Ever since the International Drone Footage photography awards became a thing in 2016, enthusiasts have come out with some stunning pictures that demand an emotional response. Many people took photos of wildlife or national geographical formations to give us a glimpse into the world that we wouldn’t normally see, but others focused their efforts on recording the dangerous situations people put themselves in for fun. The climber in this photograph was scaling down the dizzying heights of the Moab Mount in Utah when this picture was taken. We’re terrified of the view just seeing this picture, so we can only imagine how the climber felt!

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A Maze Of Sunflowers

A drone flying over the fields outside of Liverpool in northeast England captured this stunning view. A farmer created a maze in his field of sunflowers. We imagine that it looked similar to a corn maze but much more beautiful. The maze stretches across the farmer’s 17-acre property and attracted a large crowd when he opened it to the public. The farmer charged an entry fee to those who wanted to try their luck going through the maze, but he donated all the profits to first responders.

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Away From The World

Many spiritual leaders have found ways to situate themselves away from the rest of the world. It’s said that removing yourself from the greater world is the best way to achieve a sense of oneness between your mind and body, which is why so many old religious buildings are situated in places that are inaccessible to the average person. The buildings captured in this drone image show a church from the 9th or 10th century. Built by a group of monks in the Caucasian mountainous republic of Georgia, this church was a place of religious observance for many years.

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A Giant Bird Nest

Many species of birds rely on building massive nests to protect their young. Baby birds are often completely helpless and dependent on their parents when they hatch, which is why these nests need to be built to withstand serious weather events and potential attacks from predators. This drone image captured a nest built by Passerine birds in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. The birds did an amazing job building this nest to attach to the telephone pole, and it’s a fascinating site. This nest would look huge from the ground, but seeing it up close like this gives us a whole new perspective on the work that must have gone into building it.

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It’s An Illusion

At first glance, you’re likely to wonder what was happening when this drone image was captured. It looks like the people in the boat are scooting their way across a cracked desert floor, but that’s not physically possible. When you look closer, you’ll notice the ripples that prove they’re actually working their way through astonishingly clear water! Everyone is familiar with the common illusion of seeing water on a road when it’s very hot out, and this is almost the exact opposite. The crystal clear water gives the illusion that the boat is sitting on the Earth’s surface rather than floating in the water.

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Complete Isolation

Many people prefer to live in isolation, separated from the rest of the world. This unbelievable picture was captured by one of the most respected names in drone photography. Justen Soule captured this image of a home in Alexandria Bay between New York and Canada in 2017. The house is completely surrounded by water and isolated from the rest of the world. We can’t imagine how peaceful of an existence anyone living in this house must lead, although they’re probably also very lonely. Can you even get internet in a house this secluded?

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The Most Vibrant Garden In The World

When most people think of Dubai, they think of massive shopping malls, deserts, Arabian nights, casinos, and camels. But the crown jewel of the UAE is also home to the most stunning and vibrant garden in the world. The heavenly Dubai Miracle Garden is a powerful display of vibrant colors and artistic expression. This photo captured from above shows just how impressive every inch of the 72,000 square meter garden is. If you’re ever lucky enough to visit Dubai, you’ll want to experience the Miracle Garden in person!

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The Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship located in Delhi, India. This massive structure cost over $10 million to construct and took many years to build. This building is open to the public regardless of a person’s individual religious beliefs, so it’s a place you should add to your list of must-sees! It probably won’t surprise you to learn that this temple has won multiple architectural awards and is one of the most visited buildings in the world. However, something that might surprise you is this picture is one of the last drone shots we will ever see of this building. Flying drones over this area is now illegal, so we’re glad someone managed to snap this photo before that law went into place!

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