Astonishing Photos of Our Planet on Google+ from +Incredible Planet Earth

Dongchuan Red Land, China - +Incredible Planet Earth, Google+

Through some astonishing photographs posted on Google+ - most notably daily by +Incredible Planet Earth - I have been discovering new wonders on this fabulous planet we all share.

The photo above of Dongchuan Red Land in a little known area south west of Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province, China, reveals an extraordinary landscape, little visited by tourists. There are more stunning photographs and information about the area on a blog post by Impact Lab, called The Breathtaking Beauty of Lexiaguo, China.

Antelope Valley, Arizona - +Incredible Planet Earth, Google+

This photograph of a striking shaft of sunlight in caves in Antelope Valley, Arizona prompted a comment by one friend of "Beam me up, Scotty" - and indeed it does seem as if teleportation might just have occurred, or be about to.

Earth's oceans glistening in the sun, as seen from space - +Incredible Planet Earth

The beauty of this photograph of Earth's oceans glistening in the sun, as seen from space, speaks for itself. It was also posted on Google+ by +Incredible Planet Earth - whose name is entirely fitting.

Maelstrom at Kauai, Hawaii - Patrick Smith Photography.

This magnificent photograph of a maelstrom at Kauai, Hawaii, is the work of Patrick Smith Photography. A maelstrom is a very powerful whirlpool or tidal vortex.

If any of the other photographers who made these pictures would like to contact me and be credited for their work, please email me at tranquilbuddha@gmail.com or tranquilbuddha@sina.cn. 

I would be happy to give credit and I am grateful to all of you for offering such eye-opening, mind-opening, transcendent views of our planet.

We should caress Planet Earth every day and treat it like the best lover we've ever had. It gives us life, it gives us everything - and our tendency is just to take and take and take...and to take it for granted.