THE ANNUAL NATIONAL Geographic Traveller Photo Contest has kicked off and some of the entries so far are mindblowing.
Split into four categories, the competition asks photographers for their travel portraits, outdoor scenes, sense of place and spontaneous moments.
The ‘spontaneous moments’ category is a joy to explore, as this sample set proves.
Source: Slawek Kozdras/ National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Boys in Clifton Beach in Cape Town jumping into the Atlantic Ocean by Slawek Kozdras.
"This Sally Lightfoot crab crawled right up onto this iguana's back. Nature is full of surprises," said photographer Nancy Leigh who snapped this at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, Galapagos.
"On an expedition at Todos Santos in South Baja California, Mexico I was searching for big predators feeding on sardine baitballs; marlins, sharks or tunas, but instead of it I found this little but very beautiful sea bird, the Hawaiian Petrel," Alejandro said. "It was feeding on crustaceans. Luckily I was able to capture the moment it submerge its head to feed on the tiny food source."
"Giant waves converge and jump together along the napali coast of Kauai. An early season northwest swell and the position of the autumn sun made this shot possible, but what really makes it special to me is the bird flying in the corner of the frame," notes photographer Lee Scott. "This little moment of life adds balance to the image and reminds me that the mundane often make the spectacular."
"This willow warbler feeling happy by splashing water into feathers that makes it cooler during hot weather," writes Mohd Khorshid.
"Kathakali is highly stylized indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music. This scene in the photograph is called 'Tapas Attam' where Ravana is calling Lord Bramha to appear through 'Agni'."
"The photo is taken near Andaman islands while diving with a unique elephant, who likes to swim in the sea. It is one of the brightest experiences I've ever had," Mike Korostelev says.
"This picture was taken in the Apuseni mountains, Romania, in a little village called Ramet," according to Angyalosi Beáta. "I really liked this kind woman, her funny smile and how the ox licks her hand."
"Whale watching is magical but the waiting part is filled with anticipation," Sandra Aileen Greenberg recalls. "When that whale explodes out of the water your heart either stops or starts racing and no matter how old your are at that moment you become a child experiencing a magical moment. And if you are blessed to have a mother and calf burst out of the water in a synchronised breach you are absolutely in heaven!"
"Lucky timing!" is what Howard Singleton puts this down to. "The oxpecker was originally sitting on hippo's head. I could see the hippo was going into a huge yawn (threat display?) and the oxpecker had to vacate it's perch. When I snapped the pic, the oxpecker appeared on the verge of being inhaled and was perfectly positioned between the massive gaping jaws of the hippo. The oxpecker also appears to be screeching in terror and back-pedaling to avoid being a snack!"
Think you can do better? There is still time to enter the competition before the deadline of 30 June. You could win an eight-day National Geographic Photo Expedition to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal for two. Submit your entries here.
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