AFP PHOTO / CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL / MARK ERDMANN
A whale shark eats small fish caught in a fisherman's net in Cendrawasih Bay in the eastern province of Papua.
AFP PHOTO / CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL / MARK ERDMANN
A whale shark eats small fish caught in a fisherman's net in Cendrawasih Bay in the eastern province of Papua.
Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images
A stream tree frog, discovered four years ago in the rainforests of Ecuador, species named 'Hyloscirtus princecharlesi' in honour of the Prince's support to conservation and environmental campaigns, is displayed during a WWF-UK Green Ambassadors Summit attended Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and school children at Highgrove House on July 5, 2012 in Doughton near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. In his role as President of WWF-UK (World Wide Fund for Nature,) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales showed his support for the WWF-UK and BT Green Ambassadors scheme, which aims to encourage a new generation of sustainability champions. School children took part in a Green Ambassadors Summit; participating in a series of workshops with an environmental theme, and toured the Highgrove gardens to see the sustainability features of the estate.
REUTERS/EPFL/Handout
An undated handout photo provided by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) May 31, 2012, shows a rat walking on its hind legs during an experiment at the Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute in Ecublens. Rats with spinal cord injuries and severe paralysis are now walking thanks to researchers lead by Professor Gregoire Courtine at EPFL. Published in the June 1, 2012 issue of 'Science' magazine, the results show that a severed section of the spinal cord can make a comeback when its own innate intelligence and regenerative capacity is awakened. According to lead author Gregoire Courtine, it is yet unclear if similar rehabilitation techniques could work for humans, but the observed nerve growth hints at new methods for treating paralysis.
AFP PHOTO/ FAR EAST RUSSIA ORCA PROJECT/ E.LAZAREVA
A picture released on April 23, 2012 shows the fin of an albino killer whale nicknamed Iceberg travelling in a pod of 13 orcas near Bering island in the Commander islands in Russia. A team of Russian scientists say they will embark on a quest next week to observe the only all-white, adult killer whale ever spotted - a majestic and elusive bull they have named Iceberg.
AFP PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
Loango, a crown male Mangabey monkey is cared for by his keeper on April 18, 2012, at the Jardin des Plantes's zoo in Paris. The baby was born in the zoo in March 5, 2012, and then rejected by his mother. This birth in a zoo is part of the European breeding of Endangered species Programm (EEP) to promote their breeding.
More than 20,000 images from photographers in 47 countries were reviewed by a judging panel made up of experts in photography, science, and conservation. The award-winners in the 48-print exhibition include the Grand Prize, the Conservation Photographer of the Year, and the Youth Photographer of the Year, as well as finalists selected in 15 categories.
Winners from the Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards, one of the world's most prestigious nature photography competitions, will be on display on the second floor of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History beginning March 30, 2012.
Dedicated in memory of the accomplished photographer and conservation advocate, Windland Smith Rice, this awards program recognizes the extraordinary dedication and talent of nature photographers from around the world and seeks to build upon her legacy in engaging and motivating Earth stewardship through the art of photography. The annual photo competition is open to the public and encourages submissions from photographers at all levels of expertise: pros, amateurs, and youth.
Learn more about the history of the competition, and get the guidelines and photo tips on the website www.NaturesBestPhotography.org
Here are some of the stunning portraits of animals, plant life, oceans, and landscapes from the Windland Awards competition, which include Canadian photographers, Jess Findlay, of Burnaby, British Columbia, and Michael Lambie of Kingston, Ontario.
YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Jess Findlay
Red Fox
Cascade Mountains, Washington, USA
"Even during the coldest snowstorm, the red fox can stay warm by curling up on open ground. Wrapped in his white-tipped tail, this fox’s cheeky expression made him look as if he had just been rudely awakened from his daytime nap."
For more about Jess Findlay, of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, visit www.jessfindlay.com
SMALL WORLD SPECTACULAR WINNER
Robin Moore
Vine Snake
Choco, Colombia
"I was lying on my stomach to frame a shot of this vine snake when, as if on cue, a fly buzzed down and used the snake's head as a landing pad. As soon as I clicked the shutter, the fly departed."
For more about Robin Moore of Washington, DC, USA, visit www.robindmoore.com
ANIMAL ANTICS WINNER
Andy Rouse
Grizzly Bear Cub
Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA
"It was quite a memorable experience when a female grizzly bear left her precious cubs on the riverbank near me as she went fishing for salmon. The cubs were great fun to observe and I managed to catch this one mid-scratch; he looks like he was either having a bad day or peeking at me."
For more about Andy Rouse of Cardiff, Wales, UK, visit www.andyrouse.co.uk
ZOOS & AQUARIUMS WINNER
Barbara von Hoffmann
Rothschild Giraffes
Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, Utah‚ USA
"At the Hogle Zoo, I spotted a giraffe with her one-week-old calf. It was heart-warming to witness the mother affectionately nestling her head into the arched neck of her newborn."
For more about Barbara von Hoffmann of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA visit www.vonhoffmannphotography.com
CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Thomas D. Mangelsen
Polar Bear and Cubs
Manitoba, Canada
??"In a bed of soft snow and frost-dusted spruce, a polar bear family takes an afternoon nap cuddled up together. But after being woken up by its squirming, sleepy sibling, this polar bear cub is wide-awake and ready to play. Greeting the wintry world, he waves his soft paw from the warm haven of his mother’s arms."
For more about Thomas D. Mangelsen of Jackson, Wyoming, USA, visit www.mangelsen.com
ENDANGERED SPECIES WINNER
Michael Lambie
Proboscis Monkeys
Borneo, Malaysia
"I was able to watch several troops of monkeys at the Labuk Bay Sanctuary. This was an unusual scene; it seemed the two juveniles were being brought to heel after incurring the wrath of an adult male."
For more about Michael Lambie of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, email mlambie@soundquest.ca
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Federico Veronesi
Cape Buffalo Fight
Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
"I watched these bulls fighting for hours under an overcast sky. To emphasize the texture of their skin and horns, I framed my shots from different angles and approaches. This tight composition is the image I prefer, as it captures the power and the struggle of the confrontation."
For more about Federico Veronesi of Nairobi, Kenya, visit www.federicoveronesi.com
OCEANS WINNER
Nuno Sá
Blue Shark
Off Faial Island, Azores, Portugal
"Diving into the blue, I watched a torpedo-shaped shadow rapidly approaching from deep, dark waters. As it came closer, its long pectoral fins gave it a form that reminded me of a jet plane; it was a six-foot-long blue shark."
For more about Nuno Sá of Azores, Portugal, visit www.photonunosa.com
WILDLIFE WINNER
Florian Schulz
Polar Bear Cub
Barents Sea, Norway
"During an Arctic expedition, I observed a polar bear and her cubs living on pack ice far from land. Incredibly inquisitive animals, the young bears learn quickly. This cub was intrigued by its reflection and was studying it with great interest."
For more about Florian Schulz of Wilhelmsdorf, Germany, visit www.visionsofthewild.com
AFRICAN WILDLIFE WINNER
Lee Slabber
African Lion and Cub
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kalahari Desert, South Africa
"I had been following a pride, focusing on one youngster who was always causing trouble. In this image, his father had been trying to sleep. The cub kept climbing over the adult’s head until the lion growled to warn it to back off. In a moment of brave defiance, the youngster just glared back at his dad."
For more about Lee Slabber of Cape Town, South Africa, visit www.wildlifephotosafaris.com
BIRDS WINNER
Michael Rosenbaum
Roseate Spoonbills
Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, Texas, USA
"In this photo the bird coming in to land was being warned off by a spoonbill already occupying the tree branch. The interaction may be two birds engaged in combat, but the soft color and graceful lines of the composition make the behavior appear almost like a kiss."
For more about Michael Rosenbaum of Delray Beach, Florida, USA, visit www.michaelrosenbaumphotography.com
ART IN NATURE WINNER
David Hall
Goby on Soft Coral
Pantar Island, Indonesia
"The shy, inch-long goby darted around its host soft coral, changing location every few seconds. I pre-focused my camera for an area where I had briefly seen the fish entirely in the open and waited. It returned to the spot long enough for me to quickly make two exposures."
For more about David Hall of Woodstock, New York, USA, visit www.seaphotos.com
2012 CALL FOR ENTRIES! For a chance to take your photos on the journey from the wild to the walls of the Smithsonian, go to www.NaturesBestPhotography.org
AP Photo/ www.frogindia.org, Sathyabhama Das Biju
In this photo released by www.frogindia.org, a chikilidae egg is shown in the soils of northeast India. Since the age of dinosaurs the chikilidae has burrowed unbothered beneath the monsoon-soaked soils of remote northeast India, unknown to science and mistaken by many villagers as a deadly, miniature snake. Their discovery, published Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, in a journal of the Royal Society of London, gives yet more evidence that India is a hotbed of amphibian life with habitats worth protecting against the country's industry-heavy development agenda.
AFP PHOTO/WWW.FROGINDIA.ORG/Sathyabhama Das Biju/HO
Researchers digging through mud in northeast India have discovered a new family of legless amphibians in a rare scientific breakthrough detailed in a study released on February 22, 2012.
AFP PHOTO/WWW.FROGINDIA.ORG/Sathyabhama Das Biju/HO
The family of burrowing, tailless creatures was identified by scientists working for five years in remote Indian states including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Shikhei Goh of Indonesia is the winner of the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest.
More than 20,000 photographs were submitted to the contest from over 130 countries, with both professional photographers and amateur photo enthusiasts participating. Photographs were submitted in three categories: people, places and nature.
Here are a selection of images from the Nature category.
The winning submissions can be viewed at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/. Users also can download wallpapers and jigsaw puzzles of contest entries.
2011 National Geographic Photo Contest
Nature Category:
Grand Prize Winner and Nature Winner
“Splashing”
Photo and caption by Shikhei Goh
This photo was taken when I was taking photos of other insects, as I normally did during macro photo hunting. I wasn’t actually aware of this dragonfly since I was occupied with other objects. When I was about to take a picture of it, it suddenly rained, but the lighting was just superb. I decided to take the shot regardless of the rain. The result caused me to be overjoyed, and I hope it pleases viewers.
Location: Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia
2011 National Geographic Photo Contest
Honorable Mention
“The Hunt”
Photo and caption by Stefano Pesarelli
I personally believe that, beyond the formal representation of reality, mediated by the technical instruments necessary to fix an image in time, photography is made of insights. The shot is the last act of image capturing and in many ways the easiest part of the whole process. This panning effect, even in its imperfection, with the chromatic harmony of the background, with all the needless information eliminated and the luck of having the big cat’s lifted tail in symmetry with the impala horns, brings the observer inside the hunting without distractions.
Location: Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve
2011 National Geographic Photo Contest
Honorable Mention
“Blue Pond & First Snow”
Photo and caption by Kent Shiraishi
The blue pond of the famous tourist resort. This is a place where many tourists gather in spring, summer, and autumn. However, since this pond freezes in winter, nobody is there during that period. This photograph is the moment of the first snow of the season falling on that blue pond. We can see the first snow of the season beginning at the end of October. Why is the pond blue? Because the underground hot spring ingredient is gushing. This blue pond changes color every day. I think that mystical blue and pure white snow are beautiful. All are nature's tints.
Location: Biei, Hokkaido, Japan
2011 National Geographic Photo Contest
Honorable Mention
“Sunrising Jellyfish”
Photo and caption by Angel Fitor
Jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata) drifting just beneath the surface, looking to capture the first sunrays to trigger their symbiotic algae to produce energy for it.
Location: Mar Menor coastal lagoon, Murcia province, Spain
2011 National Geographic Photo Contest
Honorable Mention
“Panic in the Pan”
Photo and caption by Marius Coetzee
I was leading a photographic safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. It was midday and we came across a dazzle of zebra approaching a waterhole to quench their thirst. Every few minutes the zebras will enter the water to drink, just to panic and scatter out of the water again.
Location: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
