18 photos that will make you wonder how Earth is even real

By Brian Koerber From Mashable

Nature sure knows how to put on a good show. With sub-zero temperatures and extreme heat waves, she is a force to be reckoned with.

However, nature can also be a beautiful, awe-inspiring creation even the most esteemed artist could not dream up. With its snowy mountain tops mirrored in looking-glass lakes to sandy beaches dotted with palm trees — some of the globe’s landscapes are so breathtakingly beautiful, they make us seriously wonder how Earth is even real.

Spanning the tropical shores of Hawaii to Sweden’s snowy trails, these jaw-dropping views will inspire you to close your laptop and enjoy the fresh outdoors. (Or maybe leave it open, and book a ticket.)

1. Ransberg, Sweden IMAGE: IMGUR, 900MB

2. Hanauma Bay , Hawaii IMAGE: FLICKR, BEN FERENCHAK

3. Étretat, France IMAGE: VINCENT JOLY

4. Palm Coast, Fla. IMAGE: FLICKR, ALAN STARK

5. Zermatt, Switzerland IMAGE: FLICKR, PROBLEMKIND

6. Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colo. IMAGE: DHAVAL SHREYAS

7. Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz. IMAGE: DHAVAL SHREYAS

8. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada IMAGE: DAVID J LAPORTE

9. Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland IMAGE: FLICKR, BEN FERENCHAK

10. Moab, Utah IMAGE: FLICKR, ZACH DISCHNER

11. Mount Evans, Clear Creek County, Colo. IMAGE: FLICKR, ZACH DISCHNER

12. Mount Hood, Ore. IMAGE: FLICKR, ZACH DISCHNER

13. Great Sand Dunes National Park , Colo. IMAGE: FLICKR, ZACH DISCHNER

14. Alverstoke Creek, Hampshire, United Kingdom IMAGE: PETER PEARSON

15. Estonia IMAGE: FLICKR, KAIN KALJU

16. Polder Schieveen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands IMAGE: FLICKR, WILCOZPICS

17. Chiang Mai Province, Thailand IMAGE: JAKUB MICHANKOW

18. Aurora Borealis, Palmer, Alaska IMAGE: BOB MARTINSON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

For more on this story go to: http://mashable.com/2014/01/23/nature-are-you-serious/?utm_campaign=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial&utm_cid=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=rss