 |
These Aerial Pictures of arable lands are more than farmland, these fields are works of art
Stunning Tulip Fields
At first glance, tulip fields looks like a giant child armed with a box of crayons has been set loose upon the landscape. With more than 10,000 hectares devoted to the cultivation of these delicate flowers, the Dutch landscape in May is a kaleidoscope of giddy colours as the tulips burst into life.
More than three billion tulips are grown each year and two-thirds of the vibrant blooms are exported, mostly to the U.S. and Germany.link
Pivot Irrigation in Sahara
Oil wealth has enabled Libya to pursue extravagant projects such as agriculture in the Sahara Desert. These are not crop circles or part of an Alien movie plot!
Libya, in North Africa, now drilling for oil with BP is a country that is not exactly known for having ample quantities of fresh water let alone enough water to be used to any extent in agriculture. Yet this North African desert country, ruled by a man who most people consider to be a bit “eccentric” (if not entirely off the wall) has been involved for years in growing crops by a method known as pivot irrigation.
In a country like Libya, where more than 95% of the country consists of the near-waterless Sahara, this type of agriculture is not cheap, and is only possible by being able to tap underground fossil water deposits from a large underground aquifer
Although used in a number a number of countries, including India and desert regions of the USA, the use of this method to grow crops is so unique in Libya, that the circular pivot irrigation fields can actually be seen from above by orbiting astronauts and are often photographed by both orbiting satellites and NASA space shuttles passing overhead.link
Dragon’s Spine Terraces
Longshen Terraces, or Dragon’s Spine Terraces, is known for terraced rice paddies that stretch as far as the eye can see. It was a highlight of our visit to China. The terraced fields were mostly built during the Ming Dynasty, about 500 years ago
Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Terraced Rice Fields received their name because the rice terraces resemble a dragon’s scales, while the summit of the mountain range looks like the backbone of the dragon. Visitors standing on the top of the mountain can see the dragon’s backbone twisting off into the distance. In an early morning, when the weather is fine, the sunrise on the summit of Longji Rice Terraces is magnificent.
They are often considered most beautiful in early June. At this time, water is pumped over the rice paddies and young plants are transferred to the main terraces.
Sunset at Yuanyang fields
The paddies are flooded from December to April which creates a reflecting pool effect that draws photographers from around the world. They are particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset. Occasionally patience is necessary in order to out wait the shrouds of fog. Popular rice terraces to visit include the Bada, Laohuzui and Duoyicun rice fields.link
Inakadate Rice Fields
Located in southern Japan, around 8,000 Inakadate residents work together to create giant figurative pictures by carefully planting different varieties of rice, sometimes stretching across multiple farming fields.
Unlike crop circles, Inakadate Rice Pictures need to be well-planned from the beginning instead of an afterthought. These works of art are only visible from aerial vantage points until September when the rice will be
harvested.link
Vegetation in the dunes
Aerial Pictures of Vegetation in the dunes, near El-Oued, Algeria (33°25’N, 6°57’E).
|