Mind-blowing aerial snap of Donegal beach scoops National Geographic landscape award

An extraordinary photograph of a stream flowing into the sea at a popular Donegal beach has won the best landscape award in the National Geographic Traveller Photography Competition 2021.
Winter swimmers at Marble Hill.Winter swimmers at Marble Hill.
Winter swimmers at Marble Hill.

Özgün Özdemir's mind-blowing aerial shot of the rivulet flowing into Sheephaven Bay at Marble Hill wowed the judges who said: "The planning and execution of this shot is the most striking aspect.

"The photographer was able to capture a moment to allow us to experience a much deeper view of the landscape. The use of a drone is incredibly impactful, making the stream from land to water feel like a magic spell."

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Özgün, who is originally from Izmir in Turkey but is based in Donegal, said: "I’d been trying for this shot for months but couldn’t get a calm early morning. On this November day, my friends and I agreed to meet at the beach at sunrise, but after checking the forecast I realised that would mean missing the ideal conditions, so I arrived an hour early to set up."

You can view more of Özgün's work at https://www.instagram.com/oozzgguunn/

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