Gallery: Gorgeous Photos From *Nat Geo Traveler'*s 25th Annual Contest

  • Image may contain Outdoors Nature Land Sea Ocean Water Shoreline Coast Scenery Island and Landscape
    Florin Szoke
    01

    The-Reynisdrangar,-Iceland

    *__The Reynisdrangar, Iceland__* Basalt sea stacks called Reynisdrangar, located under the Reynisfjall mountain, close to Vik i Myrdal in southern Iceland. The legend was that there were three trolls who were pulling a three masted ship to the shore unsuccessfully, but they were caught by the sunlight at dawn and it turned them into needles of rock. Photo and caption by Florin Szoke/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Human Person Animal Reptile Lizard and Soil
    Ondrej Zaruba
    02

    Walking-Chameleon

    *__Walking Chameleon__* It is the domestic animal of a small boy. Photo and caption by Ondrej Zaruba/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Lightning Storm Thunderstorm and Weather
    Francisco Negroni
    03

    Tormenta-en-el-Caulle

    __*Tormenta en el Caulle*__ The 4th of June 2011 began with the eruption of the Cordon Caulle volcano in the Los Rios region of Chile. The eruption lasted aproximately 12 months in which people and animals had to get used to daily ash-fall, which also created problems with South American air traffic. In the first days of the eruption, explosions and electrical storms from the expulsion of lava were visible for hundreds of kilometers. This photo was taken the second night from the town of Lago Ranco. (Translated from Spanish). *Photo and caption by Francisco Negroni/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)*
  • Image may contain Animal Invertebrate Jellyfish and Sea Life
    04

    Swim-with-Jelly-Fish-

    *__Swim With Jelly Fish__* It's like a dream when you're swimming with harmless jellyfish ... Photo and caption by CheanChong Lim/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Human Person Corridor Dance Pose and Leisure Activities
    Bonnie Stewart
    05

    Flying-Monk

    *__Flying Monk__* Young monks begin their service very early in life in their studies in the monastery. This monk was young and energetic and decided to "fly" in his exuberance for life. Photo and caption by Bonnie Stewart /[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Plant Flower and Blossom
    Hannes Lochner
    06

    Starry-Starry-Night

    *__Starry Starry Night__* In the rainy season the insects are in abundance in the Kalahari desert. Outside my tent is a big light that attracts lots of bugs. The Bibron's geckos take advantage and perch themselves anywhere close to the light-source and have a feast. The glow from the left is from my fire. Photo and caption by Hannes Lochner/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Animal Invertebrate Asilidae Fly and Insect
    Robin Moore
    07

    Fly-cap-for-a-vine-snake

    *__Fly Cap For A Vine Snake__* A fly lands on the head of a vine snake in the Choco of Colombia. Photo and caption by Robin Moore/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Plant and Leaf
    AndrÈs Miguel DomÌnguez
    08

    Snowmelt-in-the-mountains-

    *__Snowmelt in The Mountains__* This picture was taken in Spain (Parque natural "Sierra de Grazalema"). In meadows where cattle during heavy rains, many small gaps are formed. These ponds raised slightly eutrophic freshwater algae. These algae live with herbaceous plants and when the lakes freeze very attractive compositions are created. Here we appreciate frozen bubbles and lines formed on thawing. This occurs when the temperature rises past dawn. I used macro lens because this wild geranium leaf (Erodium sp.) is very small. Photo and caption by AndrÈs Miguel DomÌnguez/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Bird Animal and Penguin
    Richard Sidey
    09

    Gentoo-Chicks

    *__Gentoo Chicks__* Two newly hatched Gentoo Penguin chicks get their first glimpse at the Antarctic wilderness. Photo and caption by Richard Sidey/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Soil Sand Outdoors Nature Desert Dune Animal and Mammal
    Francisco Mingorance
    10

    FÈnec-The-soul-of-the-desert

    *__FÈnec The Soul of The Desert__* The fennec, or desert fox, is a canine mammal species of the genus Vulpes, which inhabits the Sahara Desert and Arabia. With its featured ears, this is the smallest species of the family Canidae. It is endangered and its main threat is illegal in other countries. Photo and caption by Francisco Mingorance/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Animal Plant Pollen Sea Life Bush Vegetation Sponge Animal and Invertebrate
    Amir Abramovich
    11

    -The-Scream----Underwater-Version

    *__"The Scream" - Underwater Version__* Taken during a dive at 6m deep. A young yellow mouth eel. Photo and caption by Amir Abramovich/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Cave Nature Art and Painting
    Ignacio Palacios
    12

    Hamersley-Gorge

    *__Hamersley Gorge__* Karijini National Park is one of the largest and most photogenic national parks in Australia. The park is famous for its sheer gorges, waterfalls, sparkling rock pools and cool swimming holes. Karijini is about 275km south of Port Hedland and 100km east of Tom or Paraburdoo. The park is all about exploring serpentine tunnels of marbled rock, clambering over boulders, squeezing through narrow tunnels, inching your way along ledges, paddling through subterranean waterways and descending deep into chasms which have been eroded into the landscape over two billion years. Photo and caption by Ignacio Palacios/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Aircraft Airplane Nature and Outdoors
    Christian Roth
    13

    A-Rare-Reflection

    *__A Rare Reflection__* Returning from a snorkeling excursion during a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, wind speed dropped to zero and the ocean became a mirror. As the horizon disappeared, only the seaplane, sitting confidently between the blue elements provided a sense of space and felt like a link to the rest of the world. Photo and caption by Christian Roth/[National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/)
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