An illuminated valley, by Julia Meyrick, Rochdale.

Julia says:

The photo was taken on a visit to Black Crag, which is near the Lake District in Cumbria... I feel that you could be any where on the planet just looking at it, it speaks for itself as to why the planet should be saved.

We do have to admit a teeny bit of bias here at h2g2 towards England's 'green and pleasant' land. We selected this photograph for the final ten for a number of reasons - firstly the framing of the photo seemed to encompass the entire mountain-side in one single image; secondly, the richness of the colours where the sunlight hit the moutain seemed especially lush and verdant. Finally, the fact that there were tiny houses and signs of human habitation existing side-by-side in harmony with this imposing beacon of nature finally swung the decision for us. Quite breathtaking.

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