Qomra Photography

The Wise Watchers

Orange eyes and silent wings — those eyes say, "I’ve seen everything, and probably heard it too". Locked eyes with one of nature’s most effective hunters — a majestic owl, perfectly still, ruling its little corner of the forest. The intensity in that orange gaze is unforgettable.

Two large Eurasian eagle-owls (Bubo Bubo) perched on mossy bricks. The Eurasian eagle-owls are one of the largest owls in the world with a wingspan of up to 6 feet (188 cm). Their mottled feathers designed for perfect camouflage in rocky forests. These Eurasian Eagle-Owls are definitely the bosses of this aviary.

Eurasian eagle-owls are mostly nocturnal and have incredibly good night vision and hearing, allowing them to hunt mammals and birds in almost total darkness. They have powerful talons, broad wings, and bright orange eyes. Their ears aren't actually ears. They are just feather tufts called "plumicorns" used for communication and camouflage, not for hearing. Their real ears are hidden on the sides of their head and are asymmetrical, with one ear usually higher than the other, to help pinpoint the exact vertical and horizontal location of prey in total darkness.

After the Rain

Brightening up the garden, one pink petal at a time. Petals still sparkling from the last shower — proof that a little rain just makes the colors shine brighter. Raindrops on petals are nature’s favorite accessory. The contrast against the dark leaves is just stunning.

Capturing the vibrant pink of these New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) in full bloom. They are native to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They belong to a family known as "Touch-me-nots". The scientific name Impatiens (Latin for "impatient") refers to the plant's seed pods. When they are ripe, even a slight touch can cause them to burst open and shoot seeds away — a mechanism called "explosive dehiscence.

The fresh pink and orange blossoms are distinguishable by their vibrant 5-petaled flowers and dark, lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges. They are larger, slightly serrated leaves compared to common Impatiens.

Impatiens thrive in partial shade and moist soil, which is why they are often seen glowing in shady garden corners and window boxes. Unlike the common "Busy Lizzie" impatiens which love shade, New Guinea Impatiens are more robust and can tolerate more sun, provided they are kept well-watered.

The Watcher of the Lake

Keeping watch over the Alps — a quiet observer watching the world drift by. Sharing the shoreline with a very patient local — one eye on the fish, one eye on the sailboats, the stillness of the heron against the moving water. Sometimes the best lake views belong to the birds.

A grey heron (Ardea cinerea) on lifeguard duty at Lac Léman, watching the waves and the sails drift between the mountains and the sky. The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) are common across Europe and Asia. They are known for their ability to stand perfectly motionless for long periods just watching and waiting while hunting for fish near the surface of the water and small aquatic animals from posts, rocks, and piers. A masterclass in patience and art of stillness. And as Lao Tzu said; "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished".

Under the Eternal Dome

Standing beneath the Pantheon’s massive dome in Rome, where a single circle of light from the oculus has been falling on marble and strangers for almost 2,000 years, a reminder that some things really were built to last. In the Pantheon you can almost hear years of history echoing off the marble walls. The light hits differently inside the Pantheon. From the coffered dome to the marble floors, the layers of history here are just incredible.

The Pantheon was completed around 126 CE under Emperor Hadrian on the site of an earlier temple. "Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres" which is the building's official Christian name, originally a temple to “all the gods”, but in 609 AD it was consecrated as a Christian church, which is the main reason it wasn't destroyed like other pagan temples. This building has survived barbarian raids and centuries of change to remain the best-preserved monument of Ancient Rome.

The dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. The opening at the top is called the oculus (latin for "eye") and is about 9 m wide. It is the building’s only direct source of natural light and also lets in rain, which drains through discreet holes in the floor. The diameter of the dome and the height to the oculus are both about 43.3 m, meaning a perfect sphere could fit inside the interior.

Footsteps in the Snow

Walking through the winter quiet together, cold air, quiet trees, warm hands — a winter walk on the edge of history. The Baltic breeze is freezing, but the view along the coast makes it all worth it. There’s a special kind of warmth you can only find on a freezing day. In Scandinavia, there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. A slow walk along Strandpromenaden in Visby, where the medieval walls meet the winter sea and time seems to move a little softer.

Strandpromenaden in Visby (The Beach Promenade) is a popular 5 km walking path that runs north from the harbor, famous for its sunsets and for running parallel to the iconic Visby City Wall, which dates back to the 13th century. Visby on the island of Gotland in Sweden is the best-preserved medieval fortified trading town in Northern Europe famous for its well-preserved medieval city wall and Hanseatic history and a UNESCO World Heritage site. While famous for its roses in summer, the "City of Ruins" is just as stunning (and much quieter) in the snow. In winter, it transforms from a bustling tourist hub into a quiet, atmospheric town where the medieval architecture stands out starkly against the snow.

The body of water is the Baltic Sea, which is unique because it is brackish (a mix of salt and fresh water), parts of it can freeze in winter, creating stunning ice formations along the shore.

Embracing the Norwegian concept "Friluftsliv" today (pronounced free-loofts-leave), which translates to "life in the free air." It’s not about conquering a mountain but simply connecting with nature without destroying or disturbing it — just like a quiet walk along the water. It’s of "open-air living" — the idea that being outside is essential for the soul, no matter the weather. As Nansen said, "To be out, truly out, is to find yourself again."

Walking in the cold has unique benefits. The cold air can help boost your immune system and clear your mind. It can "train" your blood vessels to be more responsive (improving circulation) and even help you sleep better at night because the body works harder to regulate its temperature.

Eye to Eye

Getting up close and personal with this curious Ostrich. The detail in those lashes is incredible!

Golden Hour on the Danube

Evening settles over the Danube and Linz starts to glow. Soaking in the golden hour along the Danube, Linz is catching the last light of the day, with the Danube doing its best impression of a mirror. Late afternoon light hitting the radiant skyline where modern art meets historic spires, from the glass facade of the Oberbank Forum to the towering spire of the New Cathedral (Mariendom), all along the blue Danube.

Linz is known for mixing historic architecture with modern culture and tech, right along the river. The skyline shows the concert hall Brucknerhaus and Oberbank Donau-Forum on the left and the Lentos Art Museum on the right while the city’s churches spires on the skyline.

The Danube (Donau) is Europe's second-longest river and is considered Linz’s “lifeline,” connecting Linz to other major capitals like Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. The "Donaulände" (riverbank) form a cultural zone with venues like the Brucknerhaus concert hall, the Lentos Kunstmuseum, and the Ars Electronica Center along the so-called cultural mile "Kulturmeile."

At the most left appears the Brucknerhaus, with its curved glass facade. The concert hall named after the Austrian composer Anton Bruckner was designed by Finnish architects Heikki and Kaija Siren to open up in 1974 toward the river, symbolizing a connection between nature and music. It is famous for its excellent acoustics and as the main venue for the International Bruckner Festival and the open-air Linzer Klangwolke.

The large glass building next to the Brucknerhaus is the Oberbank Donau-Forum, a major venue for art and cultural events, known for its "Steel and Glass" architecture that reflects the industrial heritage of the city.

On the right appears the Lentos Art Museum, a modern and contemporary art museum with its sleek, floating glass "ship" that lights up the night sky. The museum opened in 2003 was designed by Zurich architects Weber & Hofer as a 130-meter-long glass “light box” that glows in color at night and has a big “Donau window” framing the river view. It holds key works by artists like Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Andy Warhol, and VALIE EXPORT, making it one of Austria’s most important museums for modern and contemporary art.

Fading Elegance

There is a moody beauty in flowers that are just past their peak. Not every flower has to be perfect—sometimes the wilted edges make the story sweeter. The contrast against the dark background makes them look like a painting.

White roses traditionally symbolise purity and remembrance. Garden varieties like this are often hybrids bred for layered petals and fragrance rather than long vase life, which is why they can look beautifully “weathered” on the bush.

Stone Voices of the Past

Face to face with history - the emotion captured in stone centuries ago is still palpable today. Faces carved centuries ago, still whispering stories through every crack and missing piece. Time can soften the details, but not the expression.

Faith in Blue

Vivid blue blooms in sharp focus with a softly blurred church steeple and cross behind them – a nice play between nature and architecture, earth and sky. A touch of silver and blue, Plumbago in full bloom beneath the spire of Église Saint Pancrace d’Yvoire — faith, flowers and a perfect Lac Léman sky. Blue on blue in the medieval streets of Yvoire, the beautiful church has stood guard over the shores of Lake Geneva for centuries, a shining beacon for fishermen returning home.

The Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), also known as the Cape Leadwort, is native to South Africa but is a popular ornamental plant in warm climates around the world. In the language of flowers, Plumbago symbolizes "holy wishes," which fits perfectly with the church spire in the background. Église Saint Pancrace d’Yvoire is the parish church of Yvoire, a medieval village on the French shore of Lac Léman. While often mistaken for one due to its prominence, Église Saint Pancrace d’Yvoire is not a cathedral but a parish church dedicated to Saint Pancras, a Roman martyr who died at age 14. The church is known for its distinctive spire, which has been restored and now shines as one of the village’s icons. 

The distinct "onion dome" of Saint-Pancrace church is an icon of Yvoire. This style of steeple (clocher à bulbe) is typical of Savoyard religious architecture. The current dome was covered in stainless steel (inox) in 1954, which is why it shines so brightly in the sun and acts as a landmark visible from the lake. 

Sunday on Lac Léman

A splash of yellow on a blue day. Sunday stillness on Lac Léman — just a yellow boat, soft waves, and a sky that can’t decide where the lake ends and the clouds begin. The contrast of the bright yellow hull against the deep blue water makes this pop. It’s a great example of a "catboat" or small cruiser enjoying the Swiss breeze.

Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) is the largest lake in the Alps. It is often cited as the largest lake in Western Europe, holding a massive volume of water fed largely by the Rhône glacier. The lake is shared between two countries — about 60% belongs to Switzerland and 40% to France. It’s famous for sailing and regattas thanks to steady winds and wide open water. The lake is shaped like a crescent moon (or a shark, as some say). It acts as a natural border, with the northern curve in Switzerland and the southern shore in France.

The Pale Hunter

A ghost in the greenery, silent, still, and utterly majestic - a white Bengal tiger resting on a mossy rock, staring straight into the camera. The contrast of the white coat against the vibrant jungle green is simply mesmerizing. There is nothing quite like the gaze of a white tiger.

White tigers aren't albinos! They are not a separate subspecies either but a color variant of the Bengal tiger caused by a recessive genetic trait, a rare genetic mutation called "Leucism". This mutation prevents the fur from turning orange but leaves the black stripes and blue eyes intact. Unlike albinos (true albinos would have pink eyes and no stripes), they still produce dark pigment, which gives them their signature stripes. Their blue eyes, pink noses and pale stripes are characteristic traits that distinguish them from standard orange tigers.

Moon on the Arno

Moon over Ponte Vecchio - the Old Bridge never sleeps. The magic of Florence comes alive when the sun goes down. Florence’s medieval Ponte Vecchio lined with shops, is looking magical under the crescent moon. The reflections in the Arno river are mesmerizing.

The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and the only one the Nazis didn't destroy during WWII. Today, it stands as beautiful as ever, its famous jewelry shops glowing over the Arno River. Originally, these shops were occupied by butchers. In 1593, Ferdinand I de' Medici decreed that only goldsmiths and jewelers be allowed on the bridge because the butchers' waste caused a terrible smell near the "Vasari Corridor" (the private enclosed walkway above the shops that connects the palaces).

The Winding Path

The trail that goes on forever. Hiking along the limestone ridges where the air is crisp and the views are endless. Paths like this make it very hard to turn around and go home.

Suspended in Motion

Armoured Grazer

Marble & Gold

A masterpiece in white marble. The white domes and minarets of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, one of the largest mosques in the world, glowing under a dramatic sunset sky. The sheer scale of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is hard to comprehend until you are standing beneath these minarets. The courtyard’s marble floor is inlaid with floral designs.