Gothic Palazzo Bembo, 15th century Palace in San Marco district near Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe

Sadhu (Holy Man) wearing brightly coloured clothing and characteristic facial painting at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Characteristic colourful staircases, Mykonos Town, Mykonos, Cyclades Islands, Greek Islands, Greece, Europe

View of Vinales Valley at dawn from grounds of Hotel Los Jasmines showing limestone hills known as Mogotes characteristic of the region, near Vinales, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, West Indies, Central America

View of Vinales Valley at dawn from grounds of Hotel Los Jasmines showing limestone hills known as Mogotes characteristic of the region, near Vinales, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, West Indies, Central America

View of the characteristic harbour and blue sea of Caprera, La Maddalena Island, Sardinia, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Adult Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) surfacing with characteristic rooster tail splash in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia, Canada, North America

Adult Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) surfacing with characteristic rooster tail splash in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia, Canada, North America

Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) porpoising towards the photographer, showing characteristic black beak markings, Senegal, West Africa, Africa

Close up of registration plate of a Tuk Tuk, a taxi characteristic of South East Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) breaking the surface, showing characteristic markings on face and flanks, Senegal, West Africa, Africa

The characteristic bridge of the three arches, Sestiere Cannaregio, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Sadhu (Holy Man) wearing brightly coloured clothing and characteristic facial painting at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Holy Man) wearing brightly coloured clothing and characteristic facial painting at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Elevated view of the City Centre with the characteristic building of the Radisson Hotel, Montevideo, Uruguay, South America

The characteristic Alpe di Siusi bench in Bolzano Province, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, Europe

The idea of the interconnectedness of all things is central to the tribal way of looking at the world. practical knowledge of the environment, of crops and medicines, of hunting and fishing, is a byproduct of it. the makuna believe that human beings, animals, and all of nature are parts of the same one. animals and fish live in their own communities, which are just like human communities, with their chiefs, their shamans, their dance houses, their songs, and their material possessions. when human peoples dance in this world, the shaman invites the animal people to dance in theirs. if humans do not dance and shamans do not offer spirit food to the animal people, the animals will die out and there will be no more game left in the world. for the makuna the radical disjunction so characteristic of western thought between nature and culture, men and animals, dissolves. eastern colombia amazon, vaupes region, population: 600

The white flipper band of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is visible through the greenish water. This distinctive feature is characteristic of Minke whales of the northern hemisphere and the most obvious difference to their relatives in the Antarctic. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

The white tip of a Finback whaleÌs (Balaenoptera physalus) snout showing a distinctive characteristic of this species; the lower right jaw is white in colour whereas the left side is dark. Gasp», Canada

Adult Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) surfacing with characteristic "rooster tail" splash in Icy Strait, Southeast Alaska, USA. Pacific Ocean. (Restricted Resolution - pls contact us)

Adult Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) foraging at low tide on Isla Magdalena, Baja, Mexico. Note the characteristic golden feet and black legs, the field characteristics of this species.

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) with tail visible through the water and characteristic triangular dorsal fin just leaving the surface. Hebrides, Scotland

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) at the surface to breath with blow hole open. Characteristic white bands on the flipper visible thorugh the water. Hebrides, Scotland (1 of 2 images).

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) showing the characteristic single ridge down between the blow hole and rostrum. Hebrides, Scotland

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) at the surface to breath with blow hole open. Characteristic white bands on the flipper visible thorugh the water. Hebrides, Scotlan

L'Hoest's Monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti), or Mountain Monkey, is a guenon found in the upper eastern Congo basin. They mostly live in mountainous forest areas in small, female-dominated groups. They have a dark coat and can be distinguished by a characteristic white beard. Gikongoro, Rwanda, East Africa

Pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) travelling pod in dappled light, sowing characteristic long pectoral fins. Hawaii.

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing towards the camera with characteristic white bands on each flipper visible through the water. Hebrides, Scotland

Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) with its eye and blow visible and characteristic scarring over its body and dorsal fin. Hebrides, Scotland.

Minke whale, Hebrides, Scotland, UK, Europe

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) showing characteristic pigmentation on its flanks and triangular dorsal fin. Hebrides, Scotland

Blue whale (Balaenoptera muscularis) showing characteristic column of spray as it breaths. Aerial photograph. Husavik, Iceland (RR)

Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) approaching camera, showing characteristic dorsal fin. Akaroa, New Zealand.

Pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) travelling pod in dappled light, sowing characteristic long pectoral fins. Hawaii.

Adult Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) surfacing with characteristic "rooster tail" splash in Icy Strait, Southeast Alaska, USA. Pacific Ocean. (Restricted Resolution - pls contact us)

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) showing characteristic pigmentation on its flanks and triangular dorsal fin. Hebrides, Scotland

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) showing characteristic shevron pigmentation and dorsal fin set relatively far down the back. Hebrides, Scotland.

Hawaiian spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris lngirostris) showing characteristic dorsal fin and long snout. Hawaii, USA.

Adult Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) surfacing (note characteristic "rooster tail" splash from body) in the San Juan Islands, Washington State, USA.

Hawaiian spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris lngirostris) showing characteristic dorsal fin and long snout. Hawaii, USA.

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing for air with characteristic white bands on its flippers visible through the water on each side . Hebrides, Scotland

Dalls Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) adult surfacing at great speed. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: Displaying characteristic spray of water known as a rooster tail.

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) showing characteristic triangular dorsal fin. Hebrides, Scotland

Pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) showing characteristic white lips. Hawaii.

Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) with its eye and blow visible and characteristic scarring over its body. Hebrides, Scotland.

The characteristic caudal "knuckles" of an adult California Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja Peninsula, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Gran Cenote de Tulum in Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico. There are thousands of cenotes dotted all over Mexico���s Yucatan Peninsula, and their existence is as much a defining characteristic of the region as is the distinct geological feature from which they result. Once revered by the ancient Mayans as sacred wells, they are now magnets for tourists, adventurers, and explorers alike.

Portrait of a Red Yao ethnic minority woman showing her characteristic traditional attire, Huangluo, China.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Palms and old pier in Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

The graphic and essential shape of a Parapandal shrimp (Plesionika narval) in an unusual shot from above which also highlights the eggs, with their characteristic blue color.

Calliphora vicina or blue bottle fly; with its very characteristic bright orange cheeks

Dolphin

Dolphins

Dolphins

Whitemouth Moray

Myanmar

At the Rupkivi characteristic rock in the Savinajoki river, anglers on the Bear Circle hiking trail, Finland

At the Rupkivi characteristic rock in the Savinajoki river, anglers on the Bear Circle hiking trail, Finland

At the Rupkivi characteristic rock in the Savinajoki river, anglers on the Bear Circle hiking trail, Finland

Konoba Milina Bire, Lumbarda, Korcula, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Dalmatia, Croatia

Women having dinner in restaurant Konoba Gust, Bol, Brac, Split-Dalmatia, Croatia

Northern Lights, Aurora borealis over houses, Inuit settlement, Winter, Tasiilaq, East Greenland, Greenland, North America

Jingpo, Jingpho, Jingp'o, Kachin and Badaung, ethnic minority in traditional costume, Myanmar, Burma, Southeast Asia, Asia

Rice terraces at Duoyishu, Yuanyang County, Yunnan, China, Asia

Waitress, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Miyako-Odori, Maiko dance by a Geisha candidate in spring, Gion District, Kyoto, Japan, Asia

Alphorn blowers at the shepherd festival on Gemmi, Leukerbad, Loèche-les-Bains, Valais, Switzerland, Europe

Waitress, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Portrait of a Bedouin woman in Wahiba Sands Desert, Oman, Middle East

Old woman from the Apatani tribe, known for the pieces of wood in their nose to make them ugly, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India, India, Asia

Bride with the typical wedding jewellery during the wedding ceremony, in the village of Gangi, India, Asia

Fields of wheat and lavender, Plateau of Valensole, Provence, France, Europe

Old woman from the Apatani tribe, known for the pieces of wood in their nose to make them ugly, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India, India, Asia

Dancing couples at a Milonga, tango event on the Plaza Dorrego square in the traditional San Telmo neighbourhood, Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America

Two men in traditional Bavarian dress, Lederhose, on a meadow

Schuhplattler, traditional folk dancer, 83rd Loisachgaufest in Neufahrn near Egling, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Older long-necked woman of the Karen or Padaung tribe weaving a carpet, Inle Lake, Myanmar, Burma, Southeast Asia, Asia

Tourists watching steam and a water spout, Strokkur geyser, backlit, Haukadalur valley, Golden Circle, Su√∞urland, Sudurland, southern Iceland, Iceland, Europe

Dancer at the Tropicana Club, cabaret, Havana, Cuba, Caribbean

Girls of Indian ethnicity at a Hindu Festival in Georgetown, Guyana, South Amerika

Dancer at the Tropicana Club, cabaret, Havana, Cuba, Caribbean

Guantanamera, original Cuban cigars, tourist store, Parque Natural Ciénaga de Zapata, Zapata Peninsula, Cuba, Central America, America

Schuhplattler, traditional folk dancers, 83rd Loisachgaufest in Neufahrn near Egling, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

People wearing traditional costume in a beer garden, Muehldorf am Inn, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Waitress, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Elephants at the Gangaur Festival, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Two Indian women wearing red saris carrying water filled jugs on their heads through a village, Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Bavarian man in tradtional costume, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Waitress, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Couple wearing traditional costume in a beer garden, Muehldorf am Inn, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Traditional Indian dancer at a Hindu Festival, Georgetown, Guyana, South America

Waitress, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Man with white beard wearing a Gamsbart, traditional Bavarian dress hat, Upper Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Waitress, Wies\'n, October fest, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Peat briquettes for private domestic fuel being dried by the inhabitants themselves, Birr, Offaly, Midlands, Ireland, Europe