Photo parade - Best-of 2025
In recent years, Michael from Erkunde-die-Welt [↗] has always called for submissions to his photo parade. For me, this was a great opportunity to look back at the pictures of the year. Since Michael always specified certain categories, it was never a real best-of list, but I did manage to include my favorite pictures somehow. You can find my contributions from previous years below in the “You may also be interested in this” section.
Over the last few years, Michael has already tried to reduce the effort, and this year he has decided not to organize a parade for “personal reasons”. So this time, the photo parade is a solo event. Instead of predefined categories, I'm focusing on my main travel destinations.
Colombia
In Spring, I went on my first organized photo trip. I traveled to Colombia with Riko Best. You can find a detailed travel report here.
The first picture shows the cathedral in Barichara. While the rest of the group tried to find motifs for the sunset, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful, soft afternoon light in the city. In front of the cathedral on the main square, a decorated tuk-tuk was waiting for the wedding couple. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time.
The second picture was taken in the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, one of the first destinations on this trip. The former mine is quite touristy, but at least during our visit it was not too crowded.
Finally, the third picture shows the cathedral of Cartagena in the early morning. For me, Cartagena was the photographic highlight of Colombia, even though we visited many other interesting places.
Summertime
After the trip to Colombia, there was a longer phase during which I only got to take photos on short weekend trips due to a project. Nevertheless, I managed to take a few nice pictures. I have chosen three images of nature.
The first picture shows an eagle owl in the Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park. I was there to try out my new telephoto lens. You can find more pictures here.
The tree fungus in the second picture was found in Wolfstal, a natural valley near Ulm where rare flowers and fungi can be found. I have written about it several times here — just enter “Wolfstal” in the search field.
Finally, the third picture was taken on a hike near Dornbirn in Austria. You can find the report on the hike here.
London
At the end of August, we went to London for a week. The weather was so-so, but it was definitely worth it from a photographic point of view. You can find a detailed report here.
The first picture shows Southwark Bridge in the evening light. Personally, I found the locations on the south side of the Thames with the view of the skyscrivers more interesting.
The second picture shows the famous Leadenhall Market as few people get to see it. The picture was taken very early on Sunday morning. Normally, the aisles are barely visible due to the crowds of tourists and tables. The fourth picture shows a view up to the roof of the main square.
The third picture shows the surprisingly interesting architecture of the main hall of the Natural History Museum. Usually, you see photos of the large skeleton that dominates the hall. But this part could just as easily have been in Hogwarts.
The fifth photo shows a more familiar motif: the lamps in the stairwell of Heals Department Store, a furniture store near the British Museum.
The sixth and last photo I would like to show from London was taken in Southwark Cathedral and shows thousands of peace doves hanging from the ceiling. An installation by artist Peter Walker.
Valencia
At the beginning of October, we flew to Valencia for a long weekend. Although we also explored the city, I am showing three pictures from the City of Arts and Sciences here. I had booked a hotel very close by and, of course, took the opportunity to take pictures there both early in the morning and in the evening.
I will publish more photos from the City of Arts and Sciences and the rest of the city here soon.
Favorite photo
My favorite photo of 2025 is also from Valencia. When rain was forecast for the last day, we decided to go to L'Oceanografic. This is primarily an aquarium, although there are other areas as well. The highlight is the water tunnel where you can observe sharks, for example. However, the jellyfish are the most rewarding for photography.
Even though jellyfish do not usually have eyes comparable to those of humans, this flame jellyfish seems to be looking directly at you.
