We held a photo contest on the theme ‘The Connection Between Velebit and the Adriatic,’ through which we wanted to emphasize the link between the Velebit Mountains and the Adriatic Sea as one of the rare ecological systems in Europe that connects mountains and the sea at such close proximity. We received beautiful and interesting photographs that showcase their strong connection and interdependence.
Velebit and the Adriatic Sea are deeply connected through air, water, land, and rock. Hundreds of animal and plant species depend on the intertwining and interdependence of the mountain and the sea, as well as ecological processes that profoundly influence one another, thereby creating and sustaining life as we know it on our largest mountain and only sea.
Such close proximity of the sub-Mediterranean climate and mountain climate conditions over a relatively large area creates specific weather patterns that have allowed Velebit endemic species to develop, while animal species have adapted to and taken advantage of this unique climate.
The North and the South are deeply connected on Velebit
Precipitation, temperatures, and winds that develop on Velebit are a powerful factor shaping life, living conditions, and the appearance of the landscape, while the warmth of the sea, southern winds, and warmer air quickly and strongly impact life on Velebit, especially its marine side.
Since last year, Rewilding Velebit has begun working on marine rewilding as the first organization from the Rewilding Europe network, which is a natural continuation of our activities on Velebit, given their proximity and connection.
Through the photo contest ‘The Connection Between Velebit and the Adriatic,’ we wanted to once again emphasize this strong link between Velebit and the Adriatic, a special and rare ecosystem where the sea and the mountain are so close to each other, strongly connected, and intensely and constantly influencing one another. We wanted to encourage contest participants, visitors to Velebit, and the coastal part of the Adriatic to take a closer look at and capture this connection.
Without the Adriatic there is no Velebit, without Velebit there is no Adriatic
The submitted works are very lovely and depict the relationship between Velebit and the Adriatic in an interesting and exciting way. The photographs were taken from various regions of Velebit as well as from the Adriatic islands, during different seasons and in various weather conditions, showing Velebit slopes and peaks, islands, bays, wind, and people—clearly demonstrating that without the Adriatic there is no Velebit as we know it, and without Velebit there is no Adriatic.
The winning photograph is a technically brilliant piece of work and a wonderful depiction of the deep connection between the sea and the mountain. In the sea we see the mountain, and the mountain seems to rise from the sea; this world is a perfect circle of two parts that complement each other. The skilled photographer utilized the calm sea for a technically superb work of dual reality.
The Bura wind from Velebit brings sea salt into the sea, which directly affects marine currents, the mixing of layers, and the abundance of nutrients in the Velebit Channel, directly feeding fish stocks and marine life. When in winter we look from Pag at the sea churned up by the Bura, the whiteness of the surface seems to reflect on the snow-covered slopes of Velebit, as if sea foam and snowflakes are trading places, which is what our second-place work shows. In the spring, that very snow will become drinking water on the islands.
The view from the marine slopes of Velebit toward the islands is a sight as classic as it is impressive—a wonderful gift of nature to anyone who loves contrast and the close connection between nature and the sea, a unique jewel of the Mediterranean. The gentle colors of morning light across the harshly barren surface of Pag in the third-place photograph vividly show the impact of the Velebit Bura on this island.
Take a look at a few more highly rated photographs on the given theme
