Sicily - Eckart Mayer Photography

Colorful autumn forest with snow covered volcano background

Mount Etna autumn forest meets winter peak

The diversity of the landscapes and their flora on Sicily's iconic volcano is quite amazing. Colors, vegetation, soil, and plants change constantly, depending on the exact location. Therefore, it is absolutely worth exploring this area on foot with multiple hikes. Obviously, the scenery also changes a lot depending on the seasons. This is a spectacular view on our way from Catania towards the southern slopes of Mount Etna. The multi-colored forest with its autumn outfit creates a stunning contrast with the already frozen and snow-covered main peak. Just too beautiful... (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-26)

Small green pine trees on black lava field against snowy peaks

Survivor trees regaining their territory on black lava field

Never give up! We all know about the importance of healthy forests for the world's climate, and the challenges they face. Forests are home to countless species and provide a valuable recreation area for human beings. This photo shows reason for hope as a nice example about the power of forests to recover from natural disasters. The first spruces reclaim their territory after a devastating lava stream destroyed all life in its path years ago. The snow-covered Mount Etna in the background surrounded by dark clouds adds to the dramatic atmosphere of the scenery. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-25)

Colorful patches of grass growing on slope with dark volcanic ash

Grass patches on Mount Etna's black volcanic ash and red rocks

The southern slopes of Mount Etna attract a large number of tourists. There are a number of well-signed hiking trails from the parking lot. Using them, or with a cablecar, one can get up to approx. 2.500m above sea level. For tours above this altitude, local guides are mandatory to ensure the safety of the visitors. The Etna shows us quite a different face here compared to its northern area. Extended fields of colorful lava and ash are slowly being reconquered by grass and other vegetation. The contrasting colors and the blue sky are a true feast for the eyes. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-27)

Smoking fumeroles on yellow sulphor field against blue sea

Fumes from hell

When hiking on Volcano, it is important to check the wind direction, so that one doesn't get smoked in the stinky and potentially toxic fumes constantly evaporating from the otherwise quiet crater. Watching the flow of smoke above the yellow sulphor field is a fascinating spectacle. (Volcano Island, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-17)

Intense red colored rock against snow covered Etna volcano peak

Colourful Etna

Another view of Mount Etna from the touristically more developped South side on a beautiful December Sunday. The peak covered with fresh snow contrasts with the red rocks and beige grass at lower heights. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-14)

Italian island village behind smoking sulphor field fumeroles

Sulphoric volcano fumes

Living on a volcanic island with constant fumes flowing out of the crater always reminds you about the currently sleeping powers of nature. I guess the inhabitants of the small village on Volcano have got used to it. (Volcano Island, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-16)

Scenic view Volcano village and Lipari against blue sky and clouds

View over Volcano village and Lipari

The views from the top of the main crater on Volcano island are breathtaking. Looking North, the neighboring island of Lipari seems just a short distance away. So relaxing and beautiful! (Volcano Island, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-18)

Hiking boots on the edge of the main crater on Volcano island

Volcano main crater and Lipari

The hike up the main crater on the island of Volcano ("nomen est omen") is quite steep. As such, carrying up all the photo gear is a bit painful, but still worth the effort. Just sitting at the crater and enjoying the panoramic view over the Aeolian islands = pure joy. (Volcano Island, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-15)

Low angle view of black and red lava fields against sky with single cloud

Just an illusion - Hike to the top of Volcano Island

The hike up them main crater of Volcano (Italy) leads via a steep gravel path. First-time visitors might have the impression to reach the top where the red soil meets the blue sky. But this is just an illusion - in reality, the walk is still quite a bit longer. Especially in summer, with high temperatures and no shade, this requires a bit of physical fitness. Reaching the summit, with it's panoramic views over the surrounding Aeolian islands is very rewarding and definitely worth the effort. (Volcano Island, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-19)

Star-shaped sun illuminating snowfield and ice on Mount Etna

Mount Etna snowfield

After taking the cable car, we embarked for a longer walk in a winter wonderland at 2.500m above sea level. With a strong wind, it was quite chilly, despite the strong sunshine from a dark blue sky. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-12)

Black and red lava fields with green grass and snow covered peak

Etna tricolore

Three different surface colours of the same mountain against the background of a dark blue sky. A spectacular contrast creating a number of geometric shapes. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-11)

Traces of snow groomer on Mount Etna with two volcano craters

Snow groomer craters

The traces of the snow groomer (also used to carry tourists) lead towards two side craters of Mount Etna. We decided to rather walk this loop, and to enjoy the sunshine and the amazing scenery. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-13)

Grass covered black lava field against blue sky and snowy peak

Grass patches on black lava

The south side of Mount Etna looks quite different, with extended lava fields, slowly reconquered by vegetation. On the peak, snow has replaced the black and red summer colours. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-10)

Fuming snow covered volcano overlooking colorful autumn forest

Autumn meets winter

The advantage of visiting the North side of Mount Etna in the morning is perfect sunlight illuminating the peak, and less clouds than in the afternoon. Visiting in early December was perfect to combine the snow-covered peak with the colourful autoum leaves of the forest in lower elevations. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-08)

Diagonal close-up of rusted metal against dark blue water

Nothing lives forever - Rusted metal meets blue water - I

It's probably healthy for our minds not to think about the transience of all living creatures. On the other hand, it seems important to remember that nothing really lasts forever. Even things that appear solid and strong, and are built to last, can be destroyed over time by something as smooth as water. This metal platform in an italian island harbour has been exposed to humidity and salt for years. The destructive impact is clearly visible. For a photographer, the striking colours create an amazing visual effect against the backdrop of the dark blue mediterrenean sea. Therefore, I took a whole series of images whilst waiting for the ferry. (Sicily, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-20)

Blue hour view of Mazzaro pepple beach with single chair

Mazzaro blue hour chair

An off-season evening scene on the otherwise very busy beach of Isola Bella. Not sure who brought this chair here, but I was quite happy to have it as a photo model. (Mazzaro, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-21)

Pine trees emerging from black lava against snowy mountain

Survivor trees regaining their territory on black lava field

Close up on lower part of birch trunks growing on dark lava field

Birch family in colorful lava field grass at Mount Etna

Do you share the fascination for volcanoes? In this case, Mount Etna on Italy's Sicily island for sure is worth a trip. What I really enjoyed is how diverse this mountain is. The appearance changes constantly, depending on which side and altitude you are. Many areas are covered with lava and ash from previous eruptions, with no or very little vegetation. Then, we had a surprising sight around 2.000m above sea level: a forest of birches. Apparently they enjoy the fertile soil on top of an old lava field of Mount Etna. I took this family picture with a close-up on their trunks with the typical white bark. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-07)

Scenic view from lounge deck with chairs and tables over the sea

Empty terrace lounge

During low season, the otherwise very crowded attractions tend to be quite empty, even on days with beautiful winter weather. This terrace on top of the coffee shop next to the Taormina amphittheatre offers outstanding views over the Mediterrenean. (Taormina, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-03)

Boot-shaped patch of paint missing from yellow staircase wall

The boot

Urban exploration in Taormina: the old city with its narrow lanes has a lot of details to discover. Like this boot-shaped area where the paint came off an otherwise colourful staircase. Do we need a painter or a shoemaker to fix this? (Taormina, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-04)

Lonely tree skeleton against snowy volcano, lava field and sky

Lonely trunk in a field of lava

Whereas most other trees in this area completely vanished when the hot lava made its way downhill, this one tree somehow stood strong. New vegetation has started to reconquer the black field of sharp volcanic rocks. (Mount Etna, Italy, December 2022 - Image ID: 202212-IT-23)

About this archive

The Sicily archives contain the images that I took during a short one week vacation trip to this beautiful island in early December 2022. Obviously, I could have published them as part of an "Italy" portfolio. However, given the large number of photos taken with landscape and urban motives, I think Sicily deserves a place category on its own.

It was a rather spontaneous decision to fly to Catania at that time of the year. The 14-day weather forecast looked excellent, and a lot more appealing than early winter here in Germany. Lots of sunshine, pleasant day temperatures of up to 25 degrees, and even the water was still warm enough for a short swim.

Initially, we thought about going around the island and book various accomodations to do so. At a second thought, we decided to rather explore one place properly than rushing around like crazy.

So we just booked one apartment in Taormina, and did a number of day trips from there. This saved us a lot of time in the car, which we used for hiking and kayaking instead. And obviously for taking lots of photos.

Mount Etna became our top destination. We went three times, and as such had the opportunity to explore the North, East and South sides. Interestingly enough, the scenery and vegetation changes a lot from one place to another.

Towards the end, we opted for a day trip to the Aeolian Islands. After about an hours drive, we took a ferry to Volcano Island. Being off-season, almost everything was closed. But the main reason for us, the impressive steep crater, rewarded us with breathtaking views after a strenuous hike.

Please enjoy scrolling through my Sicily archives.

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