Nature's masterpieces: Incredible images reveal the stunning beauty of braided rivers that look like inky watercolour paintings

A bird's eye view of Brahmaputra River, Tibet, China. It is a perfect example of a braided river and is highly susceptible to channel migration and avulsion, where land is suddenly separated by flooding or a change in the course of a river

The spectacular Joekulgilkvísl snakes its way through the Icelandic Highlands. The Rhyolite Mountains can be seen behind partially covered with snow

Also in the Icelandic Highlands is the Tungnaa River, which looks spellbinding from above with its ever-changing channels

Erosion shapes the path of the Awatere River in Marlborough, New Zealand, creating beautiful patterns when captured from above

In both vibrant colour and black and white, the Hopkins River on South Island, New Zealand (left) and the Toklat River in the Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska (right), look like works of art

Braided rivers tend to occur on steep slopes, or in mountainous areas, that have a large supply of coarse-grained sediments. As the river flow decreases, these sediments are deposited to form small temporary islands that disrupt the water flow. This incredible water network can be found in Iceland

From above it is clear to see the interweaving and braiding of the Cook River in West Coast South Island, New Zealand

Silver braids of glacial silt are illuminated by the sun on the Canning River which traces the western boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's coastal plain in the US

One of Europe's most impressive braided rivers is the Tagliamento which winds from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea at a point between Trieste and Venice

An aerial view of the Kvichak River with numerous split channels in Southwestern Alaska reflects the clouds above

Another Alaskan wonder is the Katmai Peninsula which looks like a vibrant painting when surrounded by the lush green landscape

The natural wonder can be found across the globe, pictured is the tidal plains near the Malaspina Glacier in Southeast Alaska

The sunrises over the Sagavanirktok River in Alaska, with fog hanging over the split streams on the horizon

The braided Tasman River flows from the glaciers of Mount Cook in New Zealand's Southern Alps at Mount Cook National Park

Autumn colours perfectly accentuate the Eagle River in Chugach State Park, also in Alaska

In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge the Katakturuk River winds its way through the Sadlerochit Mountains