2010 National Geographic Photography Contest Galleries

Lake of Peace

Photo and caption by Lee Younghee

Black and white, and peace

Location: Choka Lake (Ladakh, India)

Tree Frog and Dahlia

Photo and caption by Elizabeth Haines

Every summer, on the West Coast of British Columbia, we see many little pacific tree frogs perched on the flowers in our garden and enjoying the sun. Pacific tree frogs are very special for the West Coast because there are many places along the coast that are inhabited with bullfrogs that eat the pacific tree frogs. Lucky for us, the Sunshine Coast currently does not have any bull frogs, so we are able to enjoy these beautiful amphibians.

Rude Bull

Photo and caption by sharon raoli

In Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, there are a large number of elephant herds. We met up with this guy on our way back to camp. Our guide, Joseph, had told us earlier that animals that have one horn or tusk were considered rude. This lone guy fit the story and didn't want to let our truck pass. He just stood in front of us, then attempted to intimidate us. He finally moved aside when Joseph opened both front doors of our truck and made us look bigger than him. He ambled away slowly with indignation.

Baboon Fight

Photo and caption by sharon raoli

The baboon in front was harassing one of the babies in the troop. This male facing the camera attacked him. The whole fight was over in a few seconds but it was loud and seemingly vicious. The rest of the troop was scrambling around trying to get out of their way. There is, needless to say, always a lot of drama going on in a baboon troop.

Remembering Faith

Photo and caption by Simon Pidcock

This photograph was taken in the Canadian Gulf Islands. It was the first super pod of the year. There are three resident pods or families of Orcas that grace our waters for 6 months of the year. A super pod is when all three pods totaling 87 whales come together to socialize and mate.

This particular Orca is L57 "Faith" who was 31 years old and from L Pods' family. He went missing two months after this photo was taken and is presumed dead. He had a great affinity for inter-species interactions and loved to sneak up on unsuspecting boats for surprise visits.

Lizard

Photo and caption by James Kish

Oasis

Photo and caption by NAM IN GEUN

....

Blue world

Photo and caption by Thorsteinn Asgeirsson

This part of the country is among the youngest (1477) and wildest pearls of the central highlands. It contains about 50 lakes of different sizes, most of them are the so-called crater lakes. The area is about 20 km long and 5 km wide and has a southwesterly - northeasterly direction. The craters and the lakes lie in two rows. You have to ford the small river between the two Fossvotn lakes to get into the area. Most of the lakes are fed and discharged underground because the lava fields and the scoria are very permeable.

Adelie Penguins Take the Plunge, Antarctica

Photo and caption by Anne Lucky

After a rest on this iceberg, this group of Adelie Penguins in Antarctica checked out several ledges before deciding that this was the spot to take the plunge, back to endless fishing expeditions to feed their chicks.

the look

Photo and caption by Rolf Skrypzak

exist only 400 of this birds

Moss Ball

Photo and caption by Bryan Ballinger

I'm not sure why the moss decided to grow here of all places, but I'm glad it did.

Bald Eagles on Light Post

Photo and caption by Jacob Maentz

Bald Eagles are a frequent sight in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. These two eagles were perched on top of a street light post.

Busy bee

Photo and caption by Udi Goren

After following bees for 30 minutes, I finally realized that they do a little dance before they take off. I managed to anticipate this one taking flight and caught it just as it was leaving the flower.

"The Battle"

Photo and caption by Graham McGeorge

Young snowy egret chicks battle to feed on the recently caught catch.

Cloud and ship

Photo and caption by Yevgen Timashov

Ukraine, Crimea, Black sea, view from Ai-Petri mountain

Serendipity

Photo and caption by donna rosser

A garter makes its way into my garage.

The Ghost Warrior

Photo and caption by Bruce Peerson

Camouflaged perfectly within white flowers, this spider was motionlessly awaiting a meal. It took the defensive position once the lens crossed its personal space.

Say hello to: The Ghost Warrior.

Flying over the sandbank

Photo and caption by Edwin E. Harvey

A bird (Phaetusa simplex) flying over the sandbank in the middle of the Parana River, near Corrientes City, Argentina, South America.
This picture was taken in flight, from a powered paraglider (PPG).

Haunting Glimpse

Photo and caption by Janet Chester

An encounter with an elusive Canada Lynx is said to be a rare privelege. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to see a Lynx up close and personal. As I photographed this beautiful cat, I felt transfixed by its wild, untamed, haunting eyes. This is a once in a lifetime chance that I will cherish forever.

Czech Mountain Stream

Photo and caption by Peter Krejzl

This beautiful stream called "Hamersky" flows in the Sumava mountains - one of the nicest places in the Czech Republic.
The picture has been taken in the autumn during the sunset.

When someone lights the stars up...

Photo and caption by Vadim Balakin

This picture was taken at Indian Beach (Oregon, USA) on the 11th of September. Gear - Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Canon EF16-35mm f/2.8L USM

Nature in Competition

Photo and caption by Michael Wyman

I was at a public garden in Kansas City, Mo. where these two species of lichen were growing on a bolder next to a small pond. With the macro lens I liked how you could see the lichen on top was growing over and not threw the lichen below. The color contrast was also very nice, specially with the cooler green in the center of the species on the bottom.