PHOTOS ACROSS AMERICA AND OVERSEAS
Beach visitors watch the sunset in Dauphin Island, Alabama, on August 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) # View from the south Rim of the Grand Canyon near Tusayan, Arizona, on August 10, 2012. (Reuters/Charles Platiau) # The USS Constitution passes the Boston skyline as it is tugged back through Boston Harbor in Massachusetts, on August 19, 2012. The USS Constitution set sail under her own power for the first time since 1997 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812. (Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi) # Fans cheer during a football game between the Florida Gators and the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, on September 8, 2012. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) # The moon passes between the sun and the earth behind a windmill near Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 20, 2012. (Reuters/Lucas Jackson) # A race fan watches a preliminary race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky at the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, on May 5, 2012. (Reuters/Jeff Haynes) # A tribal fisherman sits on rocks below the Willamette Falls during the annual lamprey harvest along the Willamette River, in Oregon City, Oregon, on July 13, 2012. As long as Indians have lived in the Northwest, they have looked to lamprey for food. This jawless fish popularly known as an eel has steadily declined until Columbia Basin tribes have just a few places left to go for lamprey. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) # Mud flies in front of a competitor as he swims through mud underneath electrified wires during the Tough Mudder at Mt. Snow in West Dover, Vermont, on July 15, 2012. The Tough Mudder is a nine-mile endurance event which runs competitors through a military style obstacle course complete with mud, water and fire. (Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi) # A bicyclist rides in view of downtown Seattle and past grass turned brown from lack of water, on August 31, 2012. Not too many people are complaining in typically soggy Seattle, but the city is on a surprising run of dry weather. The gauge at Sea-Tac Airport reached the end of August without a drop of rain. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) # The sun sets as fishermen work to catch the winning Landlock Salmon during the annual fishing derby on Lake Winnipesaukee, in Alton, New Hampshire, on May 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) # In St. Paul, Minnesota History Center senior curator Adam Scher shows a damaged bridge highway sign, one of a collection of artifacts at the History Center from the disastrous Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, that took place on August 1, 2007. Photo taken on July 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) # A member of the U.S. Army Old Guard places a flag at one of the over 220,000 graves of fallen U.S. military service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia, on May 24, 2012. (Reuters/Jason Reed) # A combine cuts rice in a field near Tucker, Arkansas, on August 16, 2012. Arkansas rice farmers planted 1.135 million acres in 2012, equal to 59 percent of the nation's rice crop this year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) # Boys and girls compete with their sheep at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. (Image was created using an iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) # Confederate infantry re-enactors participate in the Battle of Bloody Lane during an event to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 15, 2012. The Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862 and was the bloodiest battle in American history with more than 23,000 men killed, wounded, and missing in one single day. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) # As a sign summer is coming to a close, Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation hosted its annual "Swimming Gone to the Dogs" event on September 5, 2012, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. More than 350 dogs took to the water at the Terrace Park Family Aquatic Center for an end-of-season swim before the pool was to be cleaned and closed for the winter. (AP Photo/Amber Hunt) # An unfinished grand ballroom inside Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegel's dream mansion named Versailles in Windermere, Florida, on July 27, 2012. The Siegel family is the subject of the documentary film "The Queen of Versailles" that documents their life as they construct their 90,000 square-foot dream mansion in the middle of the real-estate crisis. Siegel filed a lawsuit against director Lauren Greenfield for defamation following the completion of the film. (Reuters/David Manning) # Fisherman Lester Toothaker uses a dip net to fish for elver along a river near Portland, Maine, on May 9, 2012. May 31 marked the end of what has become a Gold Rush for a small group of Maine fishermen - the 10-week season for catching juvenile eels known as elvers, whose price has increased nearly a hundred-fold over the past decade. (Reuters/Joel Page) # The Lima Lima Flight Team flies near the Gary/Chicago International Airport above Gary, Indiana, on August 16, 2012. The planes, Beech T-34 Mentors, were used as training aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Air Force during the 1940's. (Reuters/John Gress) # A nodding donkey pump extracts oil from the earth at an abandoned farm near the old ghost town of Dore, North Dakota, on April 19, 2012. Dore has seen a rebirth with booming oil activity in western North Dakota. (AP Photo/ James MacPherson) # Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, silhouetted against a bright red sky as the sun sets on May 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) # Three-year-old Christian Haupt throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers' baseball game against the San Diego Padres, on September 4, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) # Storm chaser and photographer Brad Mack shoots a tornado as it makes its way over the 135 freeway near Moundridge, Kansas, during the third day of severe weather and multiple tornado sightings, on April 14, 2012. (Reuters/Gene Blevins) # Chris Bayer tours "The Hole" at Nevada State Prison in Carson City, Nevada, on May 18, 2012. The prison, established before Nevada's statehood, was decommissioned after 150 years of operation. (AP Photo/Sandra Chereb) # Fairgoers spin on a ride at the State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) # A man walks on a hill near crosses set up at the memorial to victims of the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting, early Friday, July 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) # A couple enjoy a sunny afternoon against the backdrop of the Midtown skyline from Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 25, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman) # Thousands of people head south during the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk, on September 3, 2012. Governor Rick Snyder led thousands of walkers and runners across the bridge for one of Michigan's most popular Labor Day traditions. (AP Photo/John L. Russell) # Julia Douglas, 18, of Honolulu, watches lanterns float by at the Floating Lantern Hawaii ceremony in Honolulu, on Monday, May 28, 2012. Some 40,000 participants floated roughly 3,500 candle-lit lanterns into the ocean to memorialize loved ones at the annual event. (AP Photo/Oskar Garcia) # A sculpture adorns the front grounds at Medway Plantation in Goose Creek, South Carolina, on February 17, 2012. The plantation contains 6,728 acres of land and is staffed by 7 full-time employees. Upkeep on the property can run as high as $500,000 a year. In the South Carolina Lowcountry, more than a half-dozen antebellum plantations, which don't change hands often, are now for sale. (Reuters/Randall Hill) # Wrangler Denise Boyd laughs by the campfire during Montana Horses' annual horse drive outside Three Forks, Montana, on May 4, 2012. The Mantle family, who own Montana Horses, held their last horse drive where they rounded up approximately 300 horses and drove the herd 35 miles from their winter range to the Mantle ranch. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart) # A sky diver performs at the NASCAR Sprint Car Series auto race on Saturday, August 25, 2012, in Bristol, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) # Peyton Barnes, age six, of Duke, Oklahoma, practices her roping skills at the state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, on July 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) # Oracle Team USA Spithill (left) sails against Team Korea during the quarter-finals of the America's Cup World Series Newport Racing Championship in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 28, 2012. (Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi) # Children watch area veterans in the annual Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2012 in Fairfield, Connecticut. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) # On August 11, 2012, the sun sets on 17,400-foot Mount Foraker in Denali National Park, the fourth-highest mountain in the United States and the second highest peak, behind 20,320-foot Mount McKinley, in the Alaska Range. The Chulitna River is in the foreground. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) # Bethany Walters, a veterinary student at North Carolina State University, examines Holden III before surgery in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 19, 2012. The endangered juvenile green sea turtle underwent experimental surgery to repair a deep skull wound. (AP Photo/Allen Breed) # Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Madagascar Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 3, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) # The Bernacchi family from left; Joel Bernacchi, Liliana Bernacchi, Tiffany Bernacchi and Olivia Clark, take a photo along the beach as Hurricane Isaac approaches Gulfport, Mississippi, on August 28, 2012. (Reuters/Michael Spooneybarger) # A firefighting helicopter fills a bucket of water in heavy smoke as the North Merna wildfire burns in the Bridger National Forest west of the town of Pinedale in Sublette County, Wyoming, on September 16, 2012. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart) # Visitors walk through the "infinity room" before a public memorial service for U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 29, 2012. Armstrong, who took a giant leap for mankind when he became the first person to walk on the moon, died in August at the age of 82. (Reuters/Matt Sullivan) # A bear cub with second-degree burns to its paws is examined and treated at the Garden Valley Ranger Station in Idaho, on August 28, 2012. The cub, who is about four months old, was injured in the Mustang Complex Fire. Wildlife veterinarian Mark Drew said the cub, nicknamed Boo Boo, will require long term care to survive. Efforts to locate the cub's mother were unsuccessful. (Reuters/USFS/Kari Greer) # Spectators watch as fireworks light up the sky over the Hudson River during the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show in New York City, New York, on July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) # Kameron Hays, 7, sports a mohawk while attending the Iowa 80 truck stop's 33rd Annual Truckers Jamboree in Walcott, Iowa, on July 12, 2012. The Iowa 80, located along Interstate 80, is said to be the world's largest truck stop. (Reuters/Adrees Latif) # Don Duplantier walks through his flooded home as water recedes from Hurricane Isaac in Braithwaite, Louisiana, on September 2, 2012. In the foreground is a sign marking the waterline from Hurricane Katrina, but floodwater from Isaac went all the way up to the second floor. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) # Ross McCleary sprays water on a fire at the Fairfield Creek fire near Springview, Nebraska, early on July 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Weaver) # Competitors race towards the shore of Lake Michigan during the pro surf paddling competition in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on September 1, 2012. This event brought freshwater surf enthusiasts from all over the region to Sheboygan over Labor Day weekend. (Reuters/Sara Stathas) # U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (right) tours the Flight 93 National Memorial with Families of Flight 93 President Patrick White during ceremonies commemorating the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2012. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) # A view of Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah, on August 14, 2012. (Reuters/Charles Platiau) # |
| The winners of the 24th annual National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest have just been announced, with a group of ten photos coming out on top, plus one Viewer's Choice winner. These eleven images were chosen from more than 12,000 entries submitted by 6,615 photographers from 152 countries. National Geographic was kind enough to allow me to share the winning photographs with you here, from four categories: Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, and Spontaneous Moments. |  |
| A Japanese maple, by Fred An, one of seven Merit winners. "This is the great Japanese maple tree in the Portland Japanese Gardens. I tried to bring a different perspective of this frequently photographed tree." (© Fred An/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) |  |
First place winner, by Cedric Houin. "This image was shot in the Kyrgyz lands of the Wakhan Corridor. The intimacy of this everyday life moment, shot inside of a family yurt, is in total contrast with the harsh environment these nomadic tribes live in. On the right we notice a television and a sound console. These tribes live weeks away from any village by foot. In spite of being located at an altitude of 4,300 meters in one of the most remote areas of Afghanistan they are equipped with solar panels, satellite dishes and cellphones. Ancestral ways of living, with touches of modernity." (© Cedric 
Winner of one of seven Merit winners, by Lucia Griggi. "Taken at Cloud Break at an outer reef in Fiji, a surfer duck dives his board to clear the rolling waves of the raw ocean." (© Lucia Griggi/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Second place winner, by Vo Anh Kiet. "H'Mong minority children were playing with their balloons on a foggy day in Moc Chau - Ha Giang province, Vietnam. Shooting time Jan 2012." (© Vo Anh Kiet/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
| One of seven Merit winners, by Ken Bower. "The village of Gásadalur and the island of Mykines in the background. Until a tunnel was built in 2004, the 16 residents living in Gásadalur had to take a strenuous hike or horseback over the steep 400 meter mountain in order to make it to the other villages. It was a rare sunny day in the Faroe Islands and I had to wait until the clouds rolled in to provide some softer light. I decided to go with a long exposure (1 minute 10 seconds) to illustrate the force of the wind and a serene sea among the isolated islands." (© Ken Bower/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) # |  |
One of seven Merit winners, by Peter DeMarco. "More than 2,000 Buddhist temples and pagodas fill the plains of Bagan. Once the capital of the Pagan Empire, farmers now raise their livestock within the centuries old complex. The best way to see Bagan, apart from a ride on a hot air balloon, is by bicycle. It's easy to get off the beaten path and live out your wildest Indiana Jones fantasy." (© Peter DeMarco/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
| One of seven Merit winners, by SauKhiang Chau. "The Last Supper Of Da Vinci? No, They are just some old men of Chefchaouen with djellaba, sitting and talking each other." (© SauKhiang Chau/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) # |  |
One of seven Merit winners, by Camila Massu. "My sister in the south of Chile. We are sitting at home next to the fireplace in our southern lake house when it suddenly began to pour uncontrollably. Had to rush into the lake to take this snapshot!" (© Camila Massu/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
One of seven Merit winners, by Ken Thorne. "Near the city of Morondava, on the West coast of Madagascar lies an ancient forest of Baobab trees. Unique to Madagascar, the endemic species is sacred to the Malagasy people, and rightly so. Walking amongst these giants is like nothing else on this planet. Some of the trees here are over a thousand years old. It is a spiritual place, almost magical." (© Ken Thorne/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Third place winner, by Andrea Guarneri. "During the Easter holy celebration called 'Misteri' (mystery) in Trapani, the devotees carry the scenes of Christ's passion on their shoulders all night long. When the day comes they take a break." (© Andrea Guarneri/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Viewer's choice winner, by Michelle Schantz. "A lonely cabin is illuminated under the Northern Lights in Finmmark, Norway." (© Michelle Schantz/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)
Lava Kiss: My husband and I, along with a tour guide and a group of friends, hiked up to what was formerly the Royal Gardens subdivision above Kalapana, Hawaii, where the last standing house was just recently taken over by the active lava flow. While waiting for the rain to pass, we started taking back-lit portraits of each other in front of the lava flow after I set up my camera on the tripod. For the last photo, my husband spontaneously dipped me in a kiss. It was a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment! (© Dallas Nagata White/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)
Lava Kiss: My husband and I, along with a tour guide and a group of friends, hiked up to what was formerly the Royal Gardens subdivision above Kalapana, Hawaii, where the last standing house was just recently taken over by the active lava flow. While waiting for the rain to pass, we started taking back-lit portraits of each other in front of the lava flow after I set up my camera on the tripod. For the last photo, my husband spontaneously dipped me in a kiss. It was a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment! (© Dallas Nagata White/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)
Fly by: This photo was taken on the ice near Arctic Bay last month. As far as we know, it is the highest latitude passenger flight on a hot air balloon ever. It was quite the sight to see a hot air balloon fly between the iceberg columns -- it is one iceberg but looks like two. (© Michelle Valberg/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
A portrait of an old Burmese woman. (© Leon Shkolnik/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Speeding Fall: Since I discovered this road while driving around the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada, I make sure I can go back any occasion I have to visit this cathedral space made by trees. (© Alessandro Cancian/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
African leopard jumping in a tree in the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. (© Juan Hernandez/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Spiral down: The beautiful spiral staircase in the Vatican Museum. (© Syaza Mohammed Shakharulain/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Silky Floor: After a dive in the Bahamas, a group of curious silky sharks come to investigate our boat. (© Jorge Cervera Hauser/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
The Rainbow Man: During my daily assignments as a local press photographer, I need to find an interesting images to improve my own photography skills. As I saw this beautiful colorful building, which is a hotel in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, a man suddenly appeared and looked out. Without wasting time, I grabbed my camera and waited for the right moment. (© Ahmad Izzrafiq Alias/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Volcanic images at National Geographic are always about lightning, lava and immense cones, but a volcano can also be spewing out mud, allowing you to bathe in them! This volcano is approximately 50 feet high and can accommodate 10 to 15 people in its active crater. It takes a bit to jump in, what if the pressure goes away? (© Jorgen Tharaldsen/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
A Louisiana Crane Forest: Living in southeast Louisiana; building post-Hurricane Katrina floodwalls in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. (© Tom Walsdorf/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Dust Dance: A tornado tightens up and kicks up a lot of dust as it heads straight for me, roping out and dissipating approximately 1/2 mile from my location less than a minute later. The tornado was on the ground for a total of 4 minutes. To the right of the main tornado another funnel with a debris cloud on the ground can be seen. The tornado was a rare cold core tornado that had papers written up about it a few days later, referencing my photos. This is one of seven tornadoes I saw that day, making it my most successful storm chase to date. June 20th, 2011 near Norton, Kansas at 2:32pm. (© David Mayhew/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
The Cave: Deep, blue and cold. The frightening experience of climbing inside an ice cave on the north face of alpine summit at 3,800 m above sea level is very difficult to describe in words. Especially in summer, when all the glacial ice melts making the place for completely new formations. You need to stay focused, pay attention to every single move and commit yourself entirely to this climb. The reward?! An amazing experience of climbing something pure and truly unique. (© Kamil Tamiola/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Sun-Kissed Faces: A newly emerging paradise sits in the northwestern coast of Cebu, the Philippines' tourist capital. First celebrated in 2008, the municipality of San Remigio commemorates its beautiful coastline with an annual event called the Lapyahan festival. Children dress in colorful sea-themed costumes that highlight the town's pearly-white coastline, which is also the longest one in the island. The group portrait captures the well-coordinated and pompous nature of this event, as well as the sun-kissed faces of children immensely enjoying their presentation to tourists and travelers. (© Erwin Choachuy/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Dusk at Patar Beach: Fishnets strung out from the beach towards the sea at the village of Patar in Bolinao town, Pangasinan, Philippines. (© Hilario Marbella/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Maiko: Picture was taken in Kyoto, Japan. Her name is Toshimana, a Maiko in Kyoto, Japan. I caught her on her walk in small alley ways of Shijou. Being denied the first time for a picture she gave me a few seconds on her walk back. (© Seiya Bowen/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Peek-a-boo: The Waianae coast of Oahu is a visiting area for many Cetaceans, but the Hawaiian Spinner dolphins are the most common marine mammal seen off this coast. One beautiful day we found ourselves amongst one of the largest pods of Hawaiian Spinner dolphins we had ever swam with. They swam with us and around us, all together the encounter lasted an hour. However, it seemed to all happen so quickly, this is the only photo of this magical moment we managed to take. (© Kimberly James/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Tamblian Lake is a lake located on the north slope of Mount Mortar, Munduk Village area, District of Banjar, Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia. This lake is one of the three twin lakes that formed in a large caldera. To the east there is a row of Lake Buyan and Lake Beratan. On the edge of the Tamblingan Lake there is a Gubug Temple. Unfortunately due to heavy rainfall and flooding the surface of the lake rises the temple. (© Agung Krisprimandoyo/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
This shot was taken during sunset at Chobe National Reserve in Botswana. (© Cedrik Strahm/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Joyful: Kids enjoying themselves inside a Jeepney in Cebu City, Philippines. Their smiles make me feel peaceful and joyful. I think this is pure happiness for them. (© Mac Kwan/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Mount Assiniboine and Sunburst Peak on a beautiful autumn morning on the British Columbia/Alberta border in Canada. (© Henry Liu/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Reality: I spotted this old beggar at the entrance of the Gadaladeniya Temple, Pilimathalawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka. He was so quiet, seated on ground very still and was staring at the temple with his deep eyes. Wrinkles on his face and his deep eyes tell the story of a life. (© Sachi Wickramage/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Leading Lines: A slow shutter image of the Kuching Waterfront located in Sarawak, Malaysia. (© Sharkawi Che Din/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Good Bye Old Friend: Elephants are legendary for their memory and intelligence including attributes associated with grief, making music, altruism and compassion. We came across this elephant whose corpse was overcome by vultures and jackals. From a distance we heard and then saw another elephant approaching at a fast pace. She was successful at chasing away the predators and then very slowly and with much empathy wrapped her trunk around the deceased elephants tusk. She stayed in this position for several hours guarding her friend. (© John Chaney/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Stacked Supercell with Lightning: This huge mesocyclone supercell was near the Nebraska / Kansas border on the night of June 22nd, 2012. What a stunning structure! (© Jennifer Brindley/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Holi Explosion: Holi is a flamboyant festival where colored powder or watercolors are thrown on one another in celebration of the beginning of spring. Many take it as an excuse to run wild and at times act inappropriately. As hindus often say "Bura na mano, Holi hai" (Don't feel offended, it's Holi)" Photos taken in Bombay/Mumbai 2012. (© Giselle Natassia/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Hunger knows no boundaries: A lone lioness stalked a family of giraffes in Moremi Reserve, Botswana. Waiting for the opportune moment when the family entered the foliage before pouncing on the baby giraffe. (© Alwyn Chong/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Taking Off From Chelatna Lake: Alaska Bush float planes are amazing. Believe it or not, many remote cabins, hunting and fishing properties remain only accessible by float plane service, an added bonus to owning property in Alaska in our opinion. (© Janet Kotwas/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Blizka: The Buzludzha Monument on a 1,441-meter-high peak was built by the Bulgarian communist regime to commemorate events in 1891 when the socialists led by Dimitar Blagoev assembled secretly in the area to form an organized socialist movement. It was opened in 1981. No longer maintained by the Bulgarian government, it has fallen into disuse. Approaching and visiting the building in the middle of winter was a real adventure. (© Thomas Jorion/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Yosemite Valley: It was an early morning in April of 2011. I went to the Tunnel View of Yosemite National Park. Fog was floating in the Yosemite Valley, making it such a wonderful spectacle. (© Hong Zeng/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Your life is your own: This photo was inspired by my favorite author. It embodies life, and freedom. "Your life is your own. Rise up and live it." - Terry Goodkind, Faith of the Fallen. Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado. (© Tareyn Kaster/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Sunset over Bruges: The Belgian city of Bruges is famous for its stunning medieval architecture. Taken at sunset on top of the Belfort, the city's gothic cathedral spires, the Church of Our Lady on the left, and St. Salvator's Cathedral on the right, and angular roofs are bathed by the warm glow of an ethereal, golden light. (© Calvin Lee/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Flying over the Exuma Islands of the Bahamas in a twin engine canoe with wings, a mounted camera with a remote trigger allowed this photographer to capture the moment forever. (© Leona Boyd/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Dragon Wave: This photo was taken from the rocks at Ke'e beach, as a wave formed into the shape of a dragon. (© Lace Andersen/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Nomad woman milking a yak on the grasslands of Sichuan, China after a snowfall the night before. (© John Quintero/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Sunrise on Palouse Hills: The sun's first rays warm the rolling hills of the Palouse Country in Eastern Washington. (© Randall Roberts/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
While working as a fishing guide in Tofino, British Columbia I had this humpback calf jump no more than 10 feet away from the boat. On our way in from fishing for halibut we noticed a few humpback whales playing in the distance and we stopped part way in to watch. It was quite an experience to see something completely airborne so close to the boat. The lucky thing was I got the photo I submitted. A fellow boat also got a picture of the whale close to mid air and it was also all caught on video. Was an amazing day. (© Matthew Thornton/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
African Queen - Madagascar: Madagascar is a country that feels like no other. Despite its rich mineral wealth it remains one of the poorest countries on the planet. It has suffered mass deforestation and the landscape scarred by mining operations but they beauty in lies within the people who make Madagascar. As the wife of the village Mayor, this woman was displaying some of the most exquisite sun protection I have ever encountered. (© Lisa Labinjoh/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Broken Home: While storm chasing in the spring of 2011, I came across this unique spot as a hail storm was approaching. I only had 7 minutes to set up my gear before the storm slammed into me. Quarter-sized hail, tremendous lighting and strong winds accompanied this storm. (© Jeff Berkes/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
Underwater Surf: Taken at Cloud Break at an outer reef in Fiji, a surfer duck dives his board to clear the rolling waves of the raw ocean. (© Lucia Griggi/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) #
God's Window: This is a self portrait I shot while on a photographic assignment for WILD magazine in the Tankwa Karoo, Western Cape. I was humbled by the sense of space I felt looking down into the valley -- the magnitude of nature and miracle of creation reminded me of how small we really are. (© Karin Schermbrucker/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)
Butterfly at sunset: Photographer Toni Guetta submitted this macro shot of a butterfly with the sunset in the background near Hod ha'sharon, Israel. (© Toni Guetta/National Geographic Photo Contest)
Baby seal: a baby elephant seal relaxes on a South Georgia beach. (© Ondrej Zaruba/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Tiled roof: the colorful roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria. (© Casey Taylor/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Yosemite Valley at Dusk: A mist had settled over Yosemite Valley, as automobiles passed through, headlights illuminated the fog. (© Phil Hawkins/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
The Edge: Looking just over the edge, just enough to see what is ahead, not enough to know the whole, just getting the gist. (© Mei Ratz/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Wind Swept Foxtail Barley: My wife and I traveled by RV to Alaska during July and August 2012 to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. To define the natural beauty there one word comes to mind - "Majestic". An awesome trip with thousands of images. This image in particular stood out from all the rest. We spent about a week in Chicken, Alaska where the foxtail barley was growing everywhere. I must have taken 50 images of the barley but this one best conveyed the wave and flowing nature of the subject and the simple beauty I experienced while photographing them. (© Jim Cottingham/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Alone in the Dark: The discovery of a local Fox den has resulted in some great photographic opportunities recently. A Red Fox in the twilight in Shepreth, England. (© Sam Morris/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Crater Lake Storm at Sunset: A thunderstorm swirls across the water at Crater Lake National Park, as the setting sun creates a rare double rainbow. Taken from Rim Village, approximately 1,000 feet above the lake's surface, providing a straight-on vantage point of the storm. (© Duke Miller/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Chaos: A huge flock of Red-billed Queleas flies in to drink at the same time as an African Elephant in Tsavo National Park, Kenya. (© Antero Topp/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Fargo Flight: An F-15 banks in front of the crowd during an airshow in Fargo, North Dakota. (© Darryl Skinner/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Reflections: Icebergs in the harbor in Ilulissat, Greenland. (© Frank Walley/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Man and Animal Conflict: A Leopard attacks a forest department employee, after the man threw a stone toward the leopard in an abandoned construction site in Limbu Village in Siliguri in West Bengal, India. (© Salil Bera/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Don't play with war: I was captivated by the scenery before I got my camera out of my bag. In the foreground a soldier in his bunker and in the background a Ferris wheel that looked like it had been shot at. The contrasting dualism in the image struck me before I took the picture. Square/round, adult world/child world, war/peace. Unfortunately I was arrested since I was not allowed to take photos of the military, but I managed to show them a cropped version on my camera screen, displaying only the Ferris wheel. Photo taken in Beirut, Lebanon. (© Janus Langhorn/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Determination: Nothing will stand in his way. Portrait taken in Florence, South Carolina. (© Brittany Zedalis/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Yellow Spider on a Yellow Flower: I sat down to watch our children play in the lake and this colorful one found me sitting beside her. Photo taken in Dorset, Ontario, Canada. (© Jeremy Crawford/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Expedition Amundsen: A race that follows in the path of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen brings the contestants to the Hardangervidda Mountainplateu, Norway. 100km across the plateau, the exact same route Amundsen used to prepare for his South Pole expedition in 1911 is still used by explorers today. Amundsen did not manage to cross the plateau and had to turn back because of bad weather. He allegedly said that the attempt to cross Hardangervidda was just as dangerous and hard as the conquering of the South Pole. The group in the picture used the race as preparations for an attempt to cross Greenland. (© Kai-Otto Melau/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
The Explosion! The subject's name is Busaba, a well cared for Indochinese Tigress whose home is at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand. I had taken many portraits of Busaba previously and it was becoming more and more difficult to come up with an image that appeared any different to the others. Which is why I took to observing her more carefully during my visits in the hope of capturing something of a behavioral shot. The opportunity finally presented itself while watching Busaba enjoying her private pool then shaking herself dry. In all humility I have to say that Mother Nature smiled favorably on me that day! (© Ashley Vincent/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Full Moon setting behind Alps and the Sacra of San Michele: The picture captures the full Moon setting behind the Alps and the Sacra di San Michele, a religious complex situated 1,000 meters up Mount Pirchiriano, some 60 kilometers form Turin, in northern Italy. (© Stefano De Rosa/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Great White, Sun Light: As I am sitting on top of a suspended submersible cage, 30 feet below the surface, a 15 foot Great White Shark swims overhead just starting to block out the sun. I took the shot right after I had released a breath though my respirator. Photo taken off Guadalupe Island, Mexico. (© Kirk Nielsen/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Storm's Backside: Evening stroll on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida -- voted no. 1 beach in the country. (© Judy Robertson/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
King: Spotted this male lion while on safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa. His disdain for the light clearly shows his imperiousness for those around him. (© Michaela May/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Relax: Photo taken of the guardian of the Medici's Villa at Poggio a Caiano, in Italy, where at the end of the working day he is allowed a cigarette. (© Giacomo Baldi/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Close Encounter of the Insect Kind: Check out the awesome face on this praying mantis. I can't get over the mouth, it's like something from a science fiction movie. Of all photographic styles macro is definitely my favorite. I am constantly amazed, in every photo that I take, by the intricate level of detail that exists on even the smallest of creatures. It's a stark reminder that a very complex and infinitely beautiful world exists just beyond our human-sized level of perception. Photo taken in Donnybrook, Queensland, Australia. (© Andrew Young/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Sunrise in Glacier: I took this from the balcony of Many Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park, on August 1, 2012. The sun was rising behind me and onto the mountains. (© Sharon Lyon/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Canis lupus occidentalis: Wolves have always been a fascination of mine and I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to photograph a pack one afternoon. This particular Northwestern female wolf caught my eye because of her haunting yellow eyes and black coat, I knew I had to capture her on camera. She stands out beautifully against the green grass, her golden eyes staring right into the camera, drawing the viewer in. (© Amy Bell/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
In the Heat of the Moment: British riot troops stand firm against a petrol bomb attack in a street riot in Hampshire, Southern England. (© Kerry Hutchinson/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Abeguwo: Abeguwo is a goddess of Melanesian mythology. She resides in the sky, and when she feels the urge to urinate, does so onto the Earth in the form of rain. Photo taken in El Campello, Spain. (© Stan Bouman/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Ninja Kangaroos: Young male kangaroos test their strength with "boxing" matches that mostly occur at dawn. One buck gets in the others face with its forepaws until the second one concedes and hops away, or stands up tall and faces its tormentor. Then the two grapple until an advantage is gained and one rears back onto its tail and kicks out with both its feet. Here the roo on the left clearly has its opponent on the retreat. Photo taken at Lake Cootharaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. (© raoul slater/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Shades: This view of the Ladakh range near Lamayuru, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, was encountered on my way to Leh. The colors of these ranges keep on changing as the day progresses. The blue shades of the mountains enveloped by clouds afar added to the natural contrast with the golden hue of sun in front. (© Ankur Sharma/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Oriental White Ibis: An Oriental White Ibis or Black-headed Ibis in flight at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in the state of Karnataka in India. (© Sushrutha Metikurke/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Baitfish Skillfully Use Sea Turtle as Cover: Off of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, sailfish were circling as baitfish used a sea turtle as cover. The sailfish successfully attempted on several occasions to slap the baitfish with their bills (with surgical precision) to disorient them and have a quick snack before the turtle dove deep to escape the carnage. (© Scott Belt/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Beautiful Inside and Out: This photo was taken during my trip to Haiti. A man full of joy after winning a community contest to keep their new homes beautiful inside and out. (© Mike Trenh/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Lightning Sunset: Thunderstorms in the Florida Keys are often sporadic, short-lived, and incredibly isolated. This photo shows a small cluster of storm clouds that had blown in during a sunset on an otherwise clear day. (© Judy Jinn/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Skull Spider with Spiderlinks No. 001: A Skull Spider is also known as a Daddy Longlegs. But in this case, the one guarding my front door turned out to be a Mommy Longlegs. After hours of trial and error, while standing on a ladder with my head and hands in the Arachnid's web, my eye to the camera, and using a poor man's macro, I finally got a few good shots of the mother with her freshly hatched babies held between her jaws. It was quite a photographic experience, but for days afterwards I felt like there were spiders crawling all over me. (© Lon Casler Bixby/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Failed Escape in the Everglades: I was watching three young alligators when an adult approached. The adult grabbed this one and went underwater... suddenly it came up to flip the juvenile and eat it. Grassy Waters Preserve is part of the original Everglades, and is a natural area that is part of the water supply for the City of West Palm Beach, Florida. (© Steve Scherer/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
With a Couple of Jovian and Lunar Lights: Jupiter and the Moon light up the sky above a rock formation near Kitaibaraki City, Japan. (© Dr. Akira Takaue/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Swan Dive: A swan feeds at sunset. (© Mark Bates/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Life in Hell Valley: In Owakudani, Japan, (also called Great Boiling Valley or Hell Valley) eggs are hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric. Consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity. Eating one is said to add seven years to your life. (© Franjo Selinger/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
I See You - Do You See Me? Walking the mountains of the Sacred Valley in Peru, we came across children in their school playground preparing a variety of traditional items for a festival celebration later that night. After a few cautious moments of who is who, we were welcomed into helping with the preparations. We couldn't speak a word of the local dialect and had to rely solely on our good friend from the near-by town of Ollyantaytambo to help with communication. That said, there was far more communication that passed between all of us without words... the kind of connection that only giggles and laughter can bring. (© glen fisher/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Adrift: Penguins adrift on iceberg during a heavy snow storm in Antarctica. (© Joshua Holko/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Dead Hippo and One Sharp Crocodile: I was leading a photographic safari in Zambia's, South Luangwa National Park. It was already dark and we came across a dead Hippo upside down in the river. The Crocodiles were busy feeding on it and there was a lot of movement in the water -- the distance was quiet far, but I could manage to take a picture using artificial light, the camera mounted on a tripod and a long-time exposure (5 seconds). (© Stephan Tuengler/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Jump: Two squirrels were playing in the warm afternoon in the Penitencia Creek County Park in San Jose, California. (© Chih-Hung Kao/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Sword Fight: Two performers in a sword fight in Nong Nooch, Pattaya, Thailand. (© Lars Edvard Dalsboe/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
A Refreshing Sight on a Hot Day: On August 27, 2012, my husband and I were photographing wildlife in the Jasper area, when we decided to go to the Maligne Lake Lodge for a bite to eat. While walking up to the building, Terry exclaimed "is that a Moose swimming in the lake?!" Sure enough, the Moose swam across part of the lake, then proceeded to stand in the water, submerging her head to feed on the vegetation at the bottom. I sat on the shore and snapped several photos, including this one. What an exciting experience that was for us! (© Cathy Parsons/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Grand Canyon at Dusk: Grand Canyon visitors watch the sunset from a perch on the south side. (© Phil Hawkins/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
My baby: This small baby is about a few hours old. Photo taken in South Georgia. (© Ondrej Zaruba/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins having an underwater chat: These three Atlantic Spotted Dolphins were acting playful for a few minutes so I swam over to join in. When I got close the dolphins came together as if they were going to discuss my presence. One of them seemed to say something then they did a little dance and were on their way. Amazing animals, I felt very lucky to capture the moment. Photo taken on White Sand Ridge on Little Bahama Bank, Bahamas. (© John Gaskell/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
California Football: As the sun sets on the Eagles home field at the California School for the Deaf in Freemont, the Richmond High Oilers try to overcome a 31 point deficit in the first half. The Oilers held a state high losing streak at 39 losses in 2005. In 2012 season, they have yet to win a game. If the past is any preview of the future, chances dwindle that they will win as the season continues. Due to academic struggles, asthma and other issues that haunt the city of Richmond, many players do not see the season to its completion. (© Lauren Kate Rosenblum/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Relax: This cow (adorned with frogs) is looking very happy. Photo taken in Sri Lanka. (© Ondrej Zaruba/National Geographic Photo Contest) #
Secluded Pier at Lake Brunner: I was on my 170km solo cycling trip around West Coast, New Zealand and one of the destinations was this famous Lake Brunner. I reached this pier in one foggy morning and I found this moment was like no other. (© Mohd Nadly Aizat Mohd Nudri/National Geographic Photo Contest)
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