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There is much more to the United Arab Emirates than the glitzy malls and skyscrapers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Australian photographer Irenaeus Herok has spent some time out in the desert with a drone and has captured truly amazing photos there. With a background in design and fine arts, Irenaeus specializes in Portrait and Nature Photography, drawing his inspiration from old master paintings and cinema. His work contains both traditional and contemporary aspects, balancing technical precision with his own unique photography style.

The battle between nature and humans is rarely starker than here in the UAE. The barren yet beautiful landscape has been built over with eye-watering speed, as Dubai for example has grown from an unremarkable port town to a bustling metropolis in the space of a few short decades. Nature has a knack for striking back, however, and Irenaeus documents this with his surreal, apocalyptic aerial photos that show the desert slowly eating away at highways and settlements in the Emirates.

Scroll down below to check out the remarkable aerial photography shots for yourself, and vote for the most stunning pictures!

More info: Irenaeus Herok Instagram | Behance

#1

Another Tree Saved (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Another Tree Saved (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#3

No One Said It Will Be An Easy Ride (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

No One Said It Will Be An Easy Ride (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

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jeremy park
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

surreal and a little unreal.... do we really think sand would form such strong delineation on the road?

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#4

A Nice 4x4 Roundabout In Dubai. Shot On My Last Trip To UAE (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

A Nice 4x4 Roundabout In Dubai. Shot On My Last Trip To UAE (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

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TheRubyFalcon
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how most people still tried to make an effort to keep the circle and traffic laws and all

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#5

Resting After Training (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Resting After Training (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#6

Humans Vs Nature (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Humans Vs Nature (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#7

Quadra Oasis (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Quadra Oasis (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#8

Purple Roundabout (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Purple Roundabout (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

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Cassie
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how there's tracks just everywhere through the sand like there was really no point in putting in a road anyway.

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#9

The Most Popular Game In The World Is Played Everywhere (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

The Most Popular Game In The World Is Played Everywhere (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#10

Sandy (Emirate Of Abu Dhabi)

Sandy (Emirate Of Abu Dhabi)

Irenaeus Herok Report

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Mangoes'nRum
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Roads here are only guidelines. In the desert any direction goes anywhere you want. As long as you have google maps.

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#11

Desert City Sunset (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Desert City Sunset (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Kevin Donegan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do humans always want to change the landscape from the natural environment to a false, unsustainable environment? Pools, gardens, trees, smack in the middle of a desert?

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#12

Wandering Sands (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Wandering Sands (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#13

Clean Crossing Setup (United Arab Emirates)

Clean Crossing Setup (United Arab Emirates)

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Capermom
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My OCD kicks in looking at this picture. Why are the two halves on the bottom not the same size..?!?

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#15

Let’s Make It Easy (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Let’s Make It Easy (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Charlotte Brine
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously who would be using those pedestrian crossings and where would they be going?!

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#17

Nature Wins. Again (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Nature Wins. Again (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#18

Wandering Around (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Wandering Around (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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cwa92464
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name... (Google it hipster)

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#19

Desert Highway (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Desert Highway (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#20

That’s Where I Want To Be Today (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

That’s Where I Want To Be Today (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#21

Roundabout (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Roundabout (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#22

City In Haze (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

City In Haze (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#23

The White Camel (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

The White Camel (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#24

Incoming Sandstorm (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Incoming Sandstorm (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#25

If You Don't Know Where You Are Going, Any Road Will Get You There, L. Carroll (United Arab Emirates)

If You Don't Know Where You Are Going, Any Road Will Get You There, L. Carroll (United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#26

Desert Road (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Desert Road (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#27

Fork (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Fork (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Justakid
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I seeing Double Negative by artist Michael Heizer there?

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#28

Sandy (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Sandy (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#29

Desert Roundabout (United Arab Emirates)

Desert Roundabout (United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report

#30

It's Like Real Life. Some Roads Just End In Nowhere (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

It's Like Real Life. Some Roads Just End In Nowhere (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Greg T
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is fairly normal when there is a plan for the land, a shopping center, housing complex, ect... The construction trucks need a way to get there

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#31

No Landing Here (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

No Landing Here (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Carole Olson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see somebody from L.A. has been there...They left their graffiti etched on the desert to the right of the landing strip! Proves you will never get away from the Los Angeles graffiti wannabe's...….What a shame!

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#32

Xing (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Xing (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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#34

Unnecessary Complicated (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Unnecessary Complicated (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Irenaeus Herok Report