Zaanstreek
The Zaanstreek is a centuries old peat district named after the river Zaan. This important waterway in the province of North Holland originated as a natural drain for the surrounding marshy peat area. The Zaanstreek with its many industrial windmills is believed to be the oldest industrial area in Europe. Industrial progress is easily seen at the Zaanse Schans with windmills in the foreground and modern factories on the horizon. The Zaans Museum collection gives an excellent illustration of industrial progression in the Zaanstreek.

Zaanse windmills
Increasing trade and industry in Amsterdam at the end of the sixteenth century created the need for the development of industrial windmills in the flat, wet Zaanse landscape. Over the centuries more than a thousand of these little wind driven factories flourished along the river Zaan and in the surrounding countryside. Windmills were used for wood sawing, hulling and threshing grains, and the production of amongst other things; seed and nut oil, paint, snuff and mustard.

Terrific shot Paul...and a great narration too...the colours and shapness of the image is outstanding!..........

Mooi he de Zaanse Schans. Ik ben ook een keer geweest, maar heb er geen foto's gemaakt. Het was met een dames kransje. De mannen hadden vergadering en de vrouwen werden zoet gehouden.
Beautiful he Zaanse Schans. I a time has also been, but has no photograph has been made. It was with ladies day. The men had meeting and the women were kept sweet.
Wil

how does anyone produce an image this sharp and clear? you are a wizard! i love the colors of the mills. i find them to be playful. it's fun to see how owners have expressed themselves differently in design and color. it's a wonderful piece of work. jen

Superb Paul, everything about this shot is perfect: focus, color, composition, dof, etc. etc. I must have this in my favorites so off it goes. A 10 and Bravo!

Thanks Paul for the nice pic but also about the explanation

Fantastic colours.. lovely and clear, great composition.. another beauty

Very interesting commentary on the history & a great shot of these windmills! Very nice clear & colorful image! Thanks for sharing both with us!

Great commentary. I love learning new things as well as looking at pretty compositions. the color in this photo is fantastic, especially the green. It looks perfectly natural. Thks for the good, informative presentation.
Pat

A beautifully composed image....so crisp & clear. Amazing colors & the bright green is an eyecatcher. Thank you for the informative commentary... I love history. A most excellent presentation.

I love the composition of this Paul, the colors, the clarity and your commentary is wonderful! This is a fantastic photograph. I am going to put it on my desktop so when I return home Sunday after my weekend holiday, I will see these colorful windmills (Chalk mills) from Holland to greet me. Thank you for sharing this incredible image with us :~)

great picture, it's really sharp!

Great.

Great shot, Well done.
I have been there also once, it is there complete interressant and nice.

I just want to know what the secret is Paul? How do you get your shots SO CLEAR? I'm amazed everytime I open one of you pictures. This one, as all the others .. is just beautiful. Great job.

marietha

Nice capture, I really like the bright green color of the forward-most windmill. Compliments the red/orange in the other buildings. Great job!

I love the green one!!

Thank you so much for this beautiful photo and for your extensive intro - Holland is surely famous for its windmills. They look so picturesque and colorful - a pure delight for our eyes.

A beautiful and colorful image. Very nice composition. Well done.
Russ

Oh I like this one too lots of color love that green, great shot

Very nice picture. I love the colors and the clarity. Excellent work.