A woman walks with seven warmly dressed greyhounds through the snow in a park in Woerlitz eastern Germany, March 20, 2013, which marks the beginning of spring. (AP Photo/dpa, Jan Woitas)
Sumatran tiger, Daseep, couldn't resist playing snowball with keepers at Dudley Zoological Gardens.
DZG Head of Media and Communications, Jill Hitchman, said despite the species originating from the tropical rainforests of an Indonesian island, the two year-old tigress adored recent snowfalls that had covered her enclosure.
She said: "This is the first heavy snow Daseep has seen and keepers thought she would stay cosy in her heated den, but she couldn't wait to explore.
"Keepers built her a snowman, which she demolished in minutes, then spent yesterday afternoon throwing snowballs which she absolutely loved catching with her paws."
Photos:
Dudley Zoological Gardens
As a leader in capturing our world through brilliant imagery, National Geographic sets the standard for photographic excellence. More than 22,000 entries were submitted from over 150 countries, with professional photographers and amateur photo enthusiasts across the globe participating. Photographs were submitted in three categories: people, places and nature. The competition was judged on creativity and photographic quality by a panel of experts comprised of natural history photographer Christian Zeiglerand documentary photographers Gerd Ludwig and Debbie Fleming Caffery. Here are some of the winning images and honorable mentions–plus the Viewers' Choice winners in the Nature category.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive $10,000 and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2013.
Grand-Prize: The Explosion!
Photo and caption by Ashley Vincent/National Geographic Photo Contest
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 behavioural 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 favourably on me that day!
Viewers’ Choice for Nature: Tender Moment
Photo and caption by Sanjeev Bhor/National Geographic Photo Contest
Everyday in mara starts with something new and different and day ends with memorable experiences with spectacular photographs . I was very lucky of sighting and photographing Malaika the name of female Cheetah and her cub . she is well known for its habit to jump on vehicles. She learned that from her mother Kike, and Kike from her mother Amber.Like her mother she is teaching lessons to her cub . Teaching lessons means addition of another moment for tourist . This is one of the tender moment between Malaika and her cub. I was very lucky to capture that moment.
Honorable Mention: Red Fox catching mouse under snow
Photo and caption by Micheal Eastman/National Geographic Photo Contest
With his exceptional hearing a red fox has targeted a mouse hidden under 2 feet of crusted snow. Springing high in the air he breaks through the crusted spring snow with his nose and his body is completely vertical as he grabs the mouse under the snow.
Honorable Mention: Predation up close and personal
Photo and caption by Fransisca Harlijanto/National Geographic Photo Contest
I was surrounded by thousands of fish that moved in synchrony because of the predation that was happening. It was an incredible experience.
Honorable Mention: Ursus arctos horribilis
Photo and caption by Jason Ching/National Geographic Photo Contest
This photo of a wild, Alaskan, brown bear digging on a game trail was taken with a home made motion controlled triggering device hooked up to my DSLR.
See more winning images in other categories at From the Photo Desk
