2010 National Geographic Photography Contest Galleries

Rhinoceros at water-hole

Photo and caption by Andreas Symietz

In the darkness of night two rhinoceros approached the water-hole, a mother and her calf. I was amazed how these giant colossi seemed to silently hover from the bush to the edge of the water without shattering one single stone. Unlike most other animals they moved gently over the rocks without a sound. My camera shutter made more noise than these two giants and they curiously looked up. After a few minutes they disappeared as silently as they had come into the darkness.
June 2009

Moths to Light

Photo and caption by Steve Irvine

Moths attracted to a light in front of my home.

Leaf Fall

Photo and caption by Olegas Kurasovas

Autumn colors are a beautiful subject to shoot. This place has a special aura all year long, but at autumn it reveals its best.
I used a tripod standing in cold water. There were a few moments when I could have slipped in the water from slick rocks, but glad it didn't happen.

Whales in Antarctica

Photo and caption by marina vernicos

Whales emerge to the surface at aproximatly every 15 minutes, at random locations. The chances of pointing the lense at the right direction at the right time are quite slim.

There's Nobody Else Here, You Must Be Talking To Me

Photo and caption by Hudson Handel

Surprising a duck at sunset.

Chapeau

Photo and caption by Sarah Pool

In awe of the highest mountain peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc. Today the mighty lady wore a snug nebulous chapeau.

Finding Nemo

Photo and caption by Lee Zhong Kern Billene

This photo was taken at Lang Bay, Pulau Dayang, Malaysia on 18th September 2010. It was my first time diving at that site and I was intrigued by this bright yellow anemone, swaying gracefully with the current.
Just when I was busy snapping away at the adult clownfish guarding their home, a little head poked out of nowhere. I simply had to preserve the wonderous sight in film.

Icelandic road between sun and clouds

Photo and caption by Cyril Damond

Photo shot in the middle of an Icelandic road.
Not so far from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, southern part of the island.

Llama in the Andes

Photo and caption by John Palmer Gregg

A Llama stands at the crest of a hill as the sun sets behind it at Chavín de Huántar, Peru.

Crocodile in the Everglades

Photo and caption by Gertrud Muster

We went on a tour of the everglades in August and saw some amazing sites, including this crocodile in the Water.

Dolphin's Dinner

Photo and caption by paul Cowell

This was taken during the annual sardine migration 2010. just off the Mboyti coast in South Africa. Taken in June 2010.

Reindeer through green

Photo and caption by cesare naldi

The head of this reindeer suddenly appeared through thick green stuff while I was walking around the small town of Skarsvag near North Kapp in Norway.

Curly Dragonfly

Photo and caption by Anne-Marie Bernier

This dragonfly suddenly curled its abdomen while I was watching it through the lens, giving it a unique appearance.

Up a Tree

Photo and caption by Douglas Croft

While mom fished for salmon at the falls this yearling cub got a bit nervous with all of the large boars in the area and climbed to safety in a tree. Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Alaska is one of the really amazing places on the planet.

Orix

Photo and caption by David Ligeiro

Orix in the Sossusvlei red desert.