National Geographic 2012 (2)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (3)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (4)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (5)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (6)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (7)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (8)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (9)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (10)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (11)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (12)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (13)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (14)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (15)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (16)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (17)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (18)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (19)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (20)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (21)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (22)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (23)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (24)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (25)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (26)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (27)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (28)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (29)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (30)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (31)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (32)

Hikers under the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska. When conditions are right, streams melt holes into the glacier. At times they are large and stable enough for exploration. The ice filters out most colors of light except for the blue wavelengths leaving a stunning blue glowing from the ice above.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (33)

After observing this turtle, I swam with him for a few minutes.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (34)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (35)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (36)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (37)

Sunset time, a peaceful burnt woods just surround you quietly. Together with your heart beating, you can feel the smooth breeze and hear the sounds of emerging exuberance underneath. The perfect ending is in the endless. The picture was taken in Yellowstone National Park. Turning themselves into such strong remaining, the woods have given hopes to their next generation through a wildfire.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (38)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (39)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (40)

This female brown bear came into the Lake Clark National Park area in late July with her triplet Spring cubs and seemed quiet relaxed as she sat nursing her cubs.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (41)

A wild barn owl hunting over the Norfolk reeds, the evening light lit up the owl and the reeds to give them both the same colour and warmth.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (42)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (43)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (44)

This is Gandalf the Great Grey Owl and he gets scared flying out in the open so his owners have built his aviary inside a brick shed. He now loves spending his days watching the world go by out of his window.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (45)

A glorious road of gold through the aspen woods of Snowmass Colorado.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (46)

Bird Black Drongo selects good perch near water body, takes off from perch when insect sighted on water surface, skims through water surface and back to perch. This image is an outcome of my decision to captured this action. Spent almost 10 days (1 hr daily morning- sitting quietly and movement-less)and on 25th Oct 2012 this was clicked. I am lucky to get this clicked just before skimming action starts. I like the concentration level in its eyes, wing position and wide open mouth ready to catch the insect by surprise and same action in reflection...

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (47)

He is big 4 meters tall and over 4 ton in weight, he is the "Godfather" I have visualized this scene many times.I have checked and rechecked my equipment and decided upon the camera and lens combination. I now relax and control my breathing as they come in to viewThe next ten minutes are a bliss of forgetfulness as I zone in to the task at hand; only one moment stands out. He stands still before me in all his magnificence, raising his trunk filled with the red Kalahari dust. In one fluid movement he sprays his forehead and for one brief moment he is covered in the magic of dust and light.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (48)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (49)

Beautiful Lucky Bay in Esperance, Western Australia is home to many kangaroos. Not only is the turquoise water and white sand a sight to see but at sunset the kangaroos bounce their way across the sand looking for dinner.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (50)

Sunset Cloud Village is one of the most picturesque places in Red Land, China. As its name indicates, it's best to see before sunset. The reddish brown soil turns redder after raining and after farmers plow the land.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (51)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (52)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (53)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (54)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (55)

This is the third shot with a flash, waking all of the bats up and having them all stare at the camera.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (56)

During a lovely morning in July I was out photographing Great White Sharks in False Bay, South Africa. We had two days when the sea was so still you could barely see a ripple.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (57)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (58)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (59)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (60)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (61)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (62)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (63)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (64)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (65)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (66)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (67)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (68)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (69)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (70)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (71)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (72)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (73)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (74)

The fishers catched fish in the night.They use the fire that made fish close the boat and got them.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (75)

The Matterhorn 4478 m at full moon.

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (76)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (77)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.

National Geographic 2012 (78)

Back in September National Geographic encouraged readers to submit their best original photos from the three categories of People, Places, and Nature. The deadline to enter this year's National Geographic photo contest is this Friday, November 30 and the winners will be announced in December.