Portugal's "Blue Dragon River" A Photographer's Masterpiece

7th March, 2024 CHIRANJIT MITRA CHIRANJIT MITRA

Meet the Odeleite River

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The Man Behind the Photo

[{"selector":"#anim-6d037af0-bf1a-4a8c-877b-73a63869ba07","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc6fd9f0-6ded-4b62-a176-d245babcabfe","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-741f117e-a39b-42d9-ad35-e4c5346b6044 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-16.493149762925146%, 23.66853418479275%) scale(1.4761904761904763)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4cd35b4-3fe8-4643-872b-943577e7e77d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-730fdd9d-e38e-4e9a-9496-2d66995584a6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] ● British photographer Steve Richards captured the iconic aerial shots that earned this river its nickname. ● His striking images emphasized the river's serpentine shape and vibrant blue waters. Learn more

Why the "Blue Dragon" Moniker?

[{"selector":"#anim-c1a108af-8d1c-4329-b789-57f3a498b984","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e31032fd-bbd1-4e2e-a42c-36fb6a1304ad","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c7f87bfe-a038-4e5a-92dc-e3de165d0447 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.793228477375212%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec1c99ca-6350-44ab-9d0c-6fe5bd35480f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de52ed89-2a08-42b0-b7de-6ccc72475227","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] ● The river's deep blue color contrasts beautifully with the surrounding landscape. ● Its winding, snake-like shape evokes the image of a mythical dragon soaring across the land. Learn more

Beyond Beauty – The Odeleite Dam

[{"selector":"#anim-379f9b59-0cc9-4d73-8245-83f5c195a791","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26592f06-1862-47cb-a4f4-385aa5c1ba71","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c2e3225-47b0-4efc-a23d-4fcace07e287 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.934419251814193%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1284c45a-5274-492d-bcca-b947c35c32d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c46926fd-7185-446c-ad3d-a1256636a8bd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] ● The Odeleite River isn't just a pretty picture – it serves a practical purpose. ● The Odeleite Dam forms a reservoir that supplies water and generates hydroelectric power for the region. Learn more

An Outdoor Playground

[{"selector":"#anim-172cd304-f307-440d-b194-88c467c22bb3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-16.563610305608503%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfa150b2-a53d-4954-ab02-07b199915e17","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86b329b5-6851-4f54-9ff3-a9ae5847f199","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62e5460a-24c1-48b5-89f4-79ae4dd2947f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3fa27a5-748c-4c4c-82b2-2333c6c13da1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] ● The Odeleite Reservoir is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and swimming. ● Its shores boast hiking and biking trails offering stunning views of the river and its surroundings. Learn more

A Symbol of Portuguese Charm

[{"selector":"#anim-553bbdc8-52f3-4f2d-9082-b6624c24a9fa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.406979883195493%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e14c71b0-d7c8-4906-b77c-0d2994d57f96","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-631cf32a-2fbe-4505-bd77-8bb7a4ac5713","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0841196c-e876-497c-acea-8e6b6bab7660","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b64c4c72-8cd4-4eb3-9d0f-821a3959b4fb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] ● The "Blue Dragon River" reflects Portugal's unique beauty and character. ● Its blend of natural splendor and human ingenuity makes it a true gem. Learn more

Experience It Yourself (If You Can!)

[{"selector":"#anim-241b2a12-75ab-4387-9a07-6362a02464dd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-36.83089950652372%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76ee373b-7def-4ed1-af65-e4d1cd9c17af","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0dfbb3dc-2a4f-42f1-bedb-b6623a2f6f8a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c38b70e-b4d4-4fd5-bef4-56f4c68e0524","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1b5a1639-0a64-4dd5-8cda-1668b9aad7a5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] ● While Steve Richards' photos make it famous, the Odeleite River is best experienced in person. ● Consider adding this to your itinerary if you plan a trip to Portugal. Learn more