Earth From Above: 11 Gorgeous Drone Shots to Change How You Look At the World

There’s just something about getting an aerial perspective that sends my photography brain into overdrive. The ability to see views only birds can is a joy I have a hard time articulating. I hope you enjoy these shots!

All drone shots were legally taken. Drones are not allowed in National Parks or federally designated wilderness areas.

Iceland’s Braided Rivers

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

The only way to see these are from the air. At ground level, these look like another monotonous stream. Yet, they turn into a magical array of beautiful lines from the sky. Iceland offers so many sights that will blow your mind!

Mountain Madness

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Note: this was shot some 60 or 70 miles away. The drone’s zoom compression makes it look far closer.

Utah’s Moonlike Landscape

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Moonscape Overlook in the middle of the Utah desert offers incredible views for anyone wanting to venture into the unknown. The textures here, with a light dusting of snow, are what do it for me! Just wow!!

Iceland’s Highlands

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Whatever it is about the highlands of Iceland, I want more of it, please! It’s rugged, beautiful, and offers enough adventures to fit a lifetime!

High Rock Lookout

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

It is one of the coolest hikes outside Mt. Rainier National Park. High Rock Lookout is a short, steep hike but offers incredible views!

Colorado Mountains

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

The San Juans offer some of the best hiking, backpacking, and views in the entire country! Three trips here have hardly scratched the surface!

Vesper Peak

Shot from one of the toughest backpacking trips I’ve done. But the views were immaculate.

Factory Butte

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

It’s wild out here. That’s about as much as you can say!

A Snowy Winter Camp

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

My first-time snow camping (even though it was May), and I learned a lot about what it takes to stay warm through the night.

Northern Arizona Gems

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Just off the side of the road in the middle of nowhere can offer some truly remarkable colors and views. This one’s just off the highway in northern Arizona.

Author: Alec Sills-Trausch

Title: Founder of Explore with Alec

Expertise: Hiking, Backpacking, Photography, and Road Trips

Alec Sills-Trausch is a hiker, backpacker, landscape photographer, and syndicated travel writer. He enjoys showing off the beauty of the world through his photos, videos, and written work on ExploreWithAlec.com. Alec is also a 2x cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient, showing the world that there is a future from this terrible disease.

He lives in Washington, where he gets to enjoy the stunning PNW mountains in addition to all the other places he attempts to visit each year! You can see more work on IG at @AlecOutside