RE: THE NATURE PHOTO CONTEST launches today with the theme MOUNTAINS!

If you get to spend a bit of time in the high altitude Himalayas you soon start to appreciate the old Nepalese pilots adage that “we don't fly when there are clouds, because the clouds have rocks in them”. Peeking though the clouds here is the incredible spire of Ama Dablam at 6,812 metres (22,349 ft). Ama Dablam translates to "Mother's necklace" as the long ridges on each side are said to resemble the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child, and the hanging glacier thought of as the dablam, the traditional double-pendant containing pictures of the gods, worn by Sherpa women. Shot on Fuji Velvia slide film. Nepalese Himalaya, Nepal

_{Image taken by and remains the Copyright of Robert Downie - http://www.robertdowniephotography.com}