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REUTERS/Soe Zeya
A boy carries plastics sheets to use as shelter at a Rohingya internally displaced person (IDP) camp outside of Sittwe, May 15, 2013. Authorities in Myanmar struggled on Wednesday to evacuate tens of thousands of people, most of them Rohingya Muslims, before Cyclone Mahasen reaches camps in low-lying regions that have been their home since ethnic and religious unrest last year.
The next time you want to complain about some downpour or blizzard in Toronto, consider these massive, beautiful storms happening at the north pole of Saturn. These amazing images were captured by NASA's Cassini spacecraft.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/AP Photo
This false-colour image shows stunning views of a monster hurricane at Saturn's North Pole. The eye of the cyclone is an enormous 1,250 miles across. That's 20 times larger than the typical eye of a hurricane here on Earth. The hurricane is believed to have been there for years. This image is among the first sunlit views of Saturn's north pole captured by Cassini's imaging cameras.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/AFP/Getty Images
This is a natural colour view of the north pole of Saturn, in the fresh light of spring. The north pole was previously hidden from the gaze of Cassini's imaging cameras because it was winter in the northern hemisphere when the spacecraft arrived at the Saturn system in 2004. A hurricane-like storm circling Saturn's north pole at about 89 degrees north latitude is inside the famous "hexagon" feature, which scientists think is a wandering jet stream that whips around the north pole at about 98 metres per second. It folds into a six-sided shape because the hexagon is a stationary wave that guides the path of the gas in the jet. Saturn's rings can be seen at the upper right of the image.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/AFP/Getty Images
This false-colour image highlights the storms at Saturn's north pole. The angry eye of a hurricane-like storm appears dark red while the fast-moving hexagonal jet stream framing it is a yellowish green. Low-lying clouds circling inside the hexagonal feature appear as muted orange color. A second, smaller vortex pops out in teal at the lower right of the image. The rings of Saturn appear in vivid blue at the top right.
The winners have been announced for the 25th annual National Geographic Traveler photo contest — featuring some stunning pictures of people, places and things from around the globe. They're still taking submissions, for all you globe-trotting photographers. Here is a selection of our favourites that have already been entered:
A fisherman casts his net on Bira Beach in Indonesia. Dody Kusuma photo
Mikael Ande, a child of Sami reindeer herders, takes a break indoors after a long, cold day of rounding up the animals for vaccinations and slaughter. Children of reindeer herders learn to handle these animals and the land they thrive in from infancy — young Mikael here knew far more about the ways of nature than I could ever hope to learn. Michelle Schantz photo
I found this girl in a monastery in Jakar, posing at the door of the main entrance to the chapel. Juan Abal Lopez photo
A scientist climbs out of an ice cave formed by volcanic vents near the summit of Mt. Erebus, Antarctica. Alasdair Turner photo
More photos after the jump:
Continue reading "Highlights from the 2013 National Geographic Traveler photo contest" »
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Kyoto, Japan — the blooming period runs from the end of March to the beginning of April. Getty photographer Buddhika Weerasinghe captured these beauties on April 5, 2013 in Kyoto, Japan.
Maruyama Park
On the Okazaki canal
Imperial Palace Park
A bee buzzes at the Imperial Palace
On the Okazaki canal
Adam Pretty of Getty Images captured these intricate, art-like detailed views the sandstone inside the ruins at Petra in Jordan. Photographed on March 29, 2013.
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The coldest temperatures in the northern hemisphere have been recorded in the Oymyakon valley, Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia, where according to the United Kingdom Met Office, a temperature of -67.8 degrees Celsius (-90 degrees Fahrenheit) was registered in 1933 - the coldest on record in the northern hemisphere since the beginning of the 20th century. Yet despite the harsh climate, people live in the valley, and the area is equipped with schools, a post office, a bank, and even an airport runway (albeit open only in the summer).
Here's a glimpse into the lives of the people who inhabit this harsh region of Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A minibus drives along an ice road across the Lena river, outside Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A girl bundled up for the cold in the village of Oymyakon, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A man passes a sign saying "Oymyakon 'Pole of Cold'" on the site of a former meteorological station in the village of Oymyakon, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Lumberjacks Alexey Egorov, 45, (L) and Semion VInokurov, 53, lunch in the cabin of their truck in forest outside Tomtor in the Oymyakon valley, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A general view of the village of Tomtor in the Oymyakon valley, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Ships are moored on the banks of a river for the winter outside Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A view shows ice sculptures on the Lena river, constructed for the celebration of Orthodox Epiphany outside Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Alexander Gubin, 43, prepares to dive into the frozen Labynkyr lake, some 100 km south from Oymyakon in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Ruslan, 35, loads blocks of ice onto a truck outside Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Traffic lights are seen covered in snow in Yakutsk, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A woman wrapped in fur walks in the village of Tomtor in the Oymyakon valley, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A car drives through the snow at night near Vostochnaya meteorological station, some 500 km northeast of Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Trees are covered with hoarfrost, with the air temperature at about minus 46 degrees Celsius (minus 50.8 degrees Fahrenheit), in the eastern Siberian city of Yakutsk in the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A woman passes a board on a building, displaying the local time, temperature, humidity and air pressure in Yakutsk, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A dog lies on wood shavings in the village of Tomtor in the Oymyakon valley in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A view of the snowy landscape near Vostochnaya meteorological station, in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A man takes a drink in the cabin of his truck in the village of Ytyk-Kyuyol in the Republic of Sakha, northeast Russia.
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Gale force winds from the North makes a spectacular picture at the harbour in Seaham, northeast England, as they batter the seafront, Feb. 6, 2013. Many parts of Britain are braced for a predicted return of snow and gale force winds over the coming days. (AP Photo / Owen Humphreys, PA)
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The World Photography Organization revealed the shortlists for the Professional, Open and Youth categories of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards.
Over 122,000 entries from 170 countries – the highest number of submissions to date - the judges have selected a shortlist of photographs that stood out beyond all others for their impressive high quality, originality and modern appeal. Topics ranged from haunting shots of the Syrian conflict to the Obama presidential campaign; an intimate study of cinema- goers in Kabul to quirky and witty shots of the animal kingdom.
Bringing together the very best international contemporary photography, the shortlist offers a unique insight into 2012 through the eyes of some of the world’s best emerging and established photography talents. Photographers returning to the awards include: Javier Arcenillas (Spain); Robin Hammond (New Zealand) and Paolo Pellegrin (Italy). Exciting up-and-coming photographers new to the awards include Ed Kashi (USA) and Andrea Gjestvang (Norway).
The work of all the shortlisted photographers will be exhibited at Somerset House, London, from 26 April – 12 May as part of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. The images will also be published in the 2013 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.
The Open and Youth category winners will be announced on 19 March.
Professional category winners and the coveted L’Iris D’Or/ Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year title will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on 25 April. The L’Iris D’Or winner will receive $25,000 (USD) and the Open Photographer of the Year will receive $5,000 (USD). All winners, including category winners, will receive the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony.
Here are some of my favourites from the Nature and Wildlife category befitting The Daily Beast.
White-handed Tree Frog
© Hudson Garcia, Brazil, Finalist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards
Running for Life
© Frederick van Heerden, South Africa, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Open Competition 2013 Sony World Photography Awards
Don't Leave Me Alone
©Hoang Hiep Nguyen, Vietnam, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Open Competition 2013 Sony World Photography Awards
O Flamingo
© Ricardo Venerando, Brazil, Shortlist, Nature & Wildlife, Open Competition 2013 Sony World Photography Awards
White-handed Tree Frog 4
© Hudson Garcia, Brazil, Finalist, Nature & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards
Ah, the Dakar Rally — between the drool-worthy machines and breathtaking landscapes, there's a little something for every photo lover. A look back at the Dakar Rally 2013 from Arequipa in Peru to Arica in Chile, which ran from Jan. 5 to 19, 2013:
Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
South Africa's Riaan Van Niekerk rides his KTM during Stage 5, January 9, 2013.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
An unidentified biker competes during Stage 4, January 8, 2013.
Victor R. Caivano/AP Photo
Yamaha rider Michael Metge of France, front, TM rider Alessandro Zanotti of Italy, centre, and Gas Gas rider Marc Guasch of Spain, behind, compete in Stage 3, Jan. 7, 2013.
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National Geographic to Celebrate 125th Anniversary
On Jan. 13, 2013, the National Geographic Society will celebrate its 125th anniversary and its evolution from a small scientific body founded “to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge” to one of the world’s largest educational and scientific organizations, committed to inspiring people to care about the planet.
Renowned for its storytelling, photography, maps and support of exploration and conservation, the Society will mark its anniversary reaffirming its role at the forefront of discovery and adventure and looking forward to “A New Age of Exploration.”
Here's a look back at some of Geographic's iconic photographs. Do you remember the touching moment between primatologist and NG grantee Jane Goodall and a young chimp at Tanzania's Gombe Stream Reserve? Or perhaps the striking photograph of a young Afghan girl in a Pakistan refugee camp?
1985 | Afghanistan
Steve McCurry’s iconic photograph of a young Afghan girl in a Pakistan refugee camp appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine’s June 1985 issue and became the most famous cover image in the magazine’s history.
Photo © Steve McCurry/National Geographic
1909 | CANADA
National Geographic funded Cmdr. Robert E. Peary’s 1909 expedition to the North Pole. Whether Peary and his assistant, Matthew Henson, reached the Pole or not, they came closer to that goal than anyone before them.
Photo © Robert E. Peary Collection, NGS
1969 | THE MOON
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility, his visor reflecting Neil Armstrong and the lunar module Eagle. The Apollo 11 astronauts carried the National Geographic Society flag with them on their journey to the Moon.
Photo credit: NASA
1909 | ALASKA, UNITED STATES
Washing his films in iceberg-choked seawater was an everyday chore for photographer Oscar D. Von Engeln during the summer months he spent on a National Geographic-sponsored expedition in Alaska.
Photo © Oscar D. Von Engeln
1964 | TANZANIA
A touching moment between primatologist and National Geographic grantee Jane Goodall and young chimpanzee Flint at Tanzania’s Gombe Stream Reserve.
Photo © Hugo van Lawick
1931 | AFGHANISTAN
In his favorite picture, legendary National Geographic photojournalist Maynard Owen Williams marveled how, in this Herat, Afghanistan, bazaar, no one blinked during the three seconds required to make the exposure.
Photo © Maynard Owen Williams
1926 | DRY TORTUGAS
Using a brassbound waterproof camera and dragging a raft rigged with a pound of explosive flash powder — the equivalent of 2,400 flashbulbs — marine biologist William Longley and National Geographic photographer Charles Martin stalked the shallows around the Dry Tortugas, making the first natural-color underwater images.
Photo © W. H. Longley and Charles Martin
1938 | EGYPT
Three figures on camelback behold the pyramids of Giza.
Photo © B. Anthony Stewart
1991 | NORTH ATLANTIC
Rusted prow of the R.M.S. Titanic, which sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg in April 1912.
Photo © Emory Kristof
ANTARCTICA
An emperor penguin, outfitted with a Crittercam system designed by marine biologist and National Geographic staff member Greg Marshall, becomes an unwitting cameraman for a National Geographic documentary.
Photo © Greg Marshall
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
In a moss-draped rain forest in British Columbia, towering red cedars live a thousand years, and black bears have white coats. They are known to the local people as spirit bears.
Photo © Paul Nicklen
1963 | NEPAL
The first American team to summit Mount Everest in 1963 included National Geographic’s Barry Bishop.
Photo © Barry Bishop
UGANDA
A lion climbs a tree to sleep, in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth Park.
Photo © Joel Sartore
National Geographic - 1st Magazine cover
The first issue of National Geographic magazine was sent to 200 charter members in October 1888.
Tune in to the Hangout featuring Robert Ballard, James Cameron and Jane Goodall on Air this Sunday, January 13 at 1 p.m. ET (6 p.m. UTC). http://on.natgeo.com/WEBZcd
