This spectacular view is from the Austrian village of Hallstatt on the the western shore of Lake Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut region.

I immediately fell in love with this place as have the hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world who have come to experience what is arguably Austria’s most beautiful mountain village.

With the village to my back the swan agreed to be my model, providing foreground interest to the gorgeous mountains in the distance.

I wanted to stay all day but I am grateful for the hour we spent here.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Swan Lake’, 1/250s f/10 ISO160 15mm