Water colours: Beautiful patterns look like paintings but are actually photographs of glacial rivers

• Russian photographer Andre Ermolaev took the photographs in a plane 500 feet above the incredible formations
• The river water changes water as it passes through glaciers and dams
  

By Alex Ward Social Affairs Correspondent

Published: 09:53 EDT, 3 January 2014 | Updated: 09:55 EDT, 3 January 2014

These incredible images are not the swirls of paint on abstract artworks but a bird’s eye view of Iceland’s spectacular glacial rivers.

Photographed 500 feet above the central highlands and southern parts of Iceland, the dams and rivers take on amazingly sweeping shapes and colours as the water passes through glaciers and dams.

Russian photographer Andre Ermolaev travelled to Iceland to capture the unique beauty of its landscape.

Awash with colour: Russian Photographer Andre Ermolaev captured the incredible landscape featuring rivers and dams streaming from Iceland's glaciers

The 57-year-old from Moscow said: ‘When we were in the plane we saw a river which had flown through several dams and the water is a transparent blue.

‘A bit upstream there is a little yellow stream that flows into this river and mixes with the water.

Bird's eye view: The photographer flew 500 feet above the rivers, capturing their sweeping shapes as they passed through glaciers and dams

To the sea: The water changes colour as it moves through glaciers and flat, sandy areas, creating amazing shapes and effects

Almost art: The images look almost like art rather than the natural landscape of the island country

‘Patterns of nature are so amazing that nobody can say or describe what we see on the photograph - it's mind-blowing.

‘The photographs are a true reflection of what I saw on the day and I'm thrilled with the outcome.’

The shallow rivers spread quickly across flat and sandy surfaces after passing through glaciers, making the water cloudy. 

With tourism forming over 30 per cent of the island's income, visitors to the ice flows are treated to wonders such as the Jvkulsarlsn lagoon, dramatic ice walls and ominous icebergs.

Iceland is fast becoming the photography capital of the world - and with stunning results such as these, it's easy to see why.

Breathtaking formations: Iceland is fast becoming one of the most photographed countries in the world and with stunning results such as these, it is easy to see why

Sweeping swirls: Mr Ermolaev described the formations he saw as 'mind blowing'. He said that the 'patterns of nature are so amazing that nobody can say or describe what we see on the photograph'

Mind blowing: Mr Ermolaev was pleased with the results of his plane trip, saying the images truly captured the breathtaking scenes

Wintry wonderland: Some 30 per cent of the island country's income comes from tourism, with many attracted to Iceland to witness the astonishing rivers and glaciers

Wondrous water: The astounding water formations are created by the rivers moving through glaciers and dams in the central highlands and southern parts of the country