Portugal Heart Lake, Azores

Hidden in the green volcanic landscape of the Azores, this small heart-shaped lake is one of those places that becomes truly special once seen from above. Located near Lagoa das Éguas, on São Miguel Island, the small body of water is surrounded almost completely by dense vegetation. From ground level its distinctive shape is easy to miss, but from the air the natural heart becomes immediately visible.

This location is definitely best photographed with a drone. A relatively high, almost straight-down perspective reveals both the shape of the lake and the surrounding forest. I particularly like including some of the neighboring landscape rather than framing the lake too tightly, as the different textures and shades of green make the small lake stand out. Late-afternoon or morning light can add depth to the trees, although softer cloudy conditions can work equally well by reducing harsh shadows.

The lake is located close to Lagoa das Éguas on São Miguel, in the mountainous interior of the island. It is much less obvious than many of São Miguel's famous crater lakes, so the exact perspective is easiest to appreciate from the air. Weather in the higher parts of the island can change very quickly, with clouds and fog moving across the landscape within minutes. If you're planning to photograph it with a drone, check the local flight restrictions and weather conditions beforehand – especially wind and low clouds, which are common in the Azorean highlands.