Yasuní National Park, Ecuador. Photograph by Steve Winter, National Geographic
From the bromeliads, ferns, and orchids that cover a kapok tree 160 feet above the forest floor to the jaguars that prowl below, Ecuador's Yasuní National Park is home to countless plant and animal species. All of them now face threats from oil development.
Lake Baikal, Siberia. Photograph by Carolyn Drake, National Geographic
The peaks of Burkhan Rock rise like twin spires from Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the world’s largest body of fresh water. People across Asia believe that spirits associated with Baikal live in this rocky outcropping on Olkhon Island, destination of a steady stream of pilgrims.
Methane Bubbles, Alaska. Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic
The first clear ice of fall on an Alaskan lake captures methane that all summer long has bubbled from the bottom mud. In spring it will be released into the air. As permafrost melts, new lakes are forming all around the Arctic
Monte Perdido, Spain. Photograph by Maxime Daviron, Your Shot
The north face of Monte Perdido in the Spanish Pyrenees. The mountain was masked by the clouds for three days, revealing the glacier occasionally. It was really cold and there was a strong wind; the ambience was very impressive. It reminded me of the world of Tolkien. This place could have been the abode of some ancient gods or giant dragons.
Trees in Fog, Germany. Photograph by Angelika Himburg, Your Shot
"David versus Goliath." This photo was taken on a foggy morning in January. The sun began to rise and hid behind the big trees. The little tree stands like a dwarf next to it. Salzatal, Germany.
Great Egret, Florida.Photograph by Carol Kay, Your Shot
This great white egret is often found at this spot on Tampa's beautiful Hillsborough River. It was almost sunset, and we were just taking our kayaks out of the water at the Trout Creek Park boat dock. When I looked up and saw the bird directly across the river in front of this massive old bald cypress, I saw the "perfect" shot and grabbed my camera, a Nikon digital D80. The bluish cast to the water is partly due to the sun having gone almost down and pollen floating on the surface. —Carol Kay
Patagonia, Chile. Photograph by Feliciano Ripa, Your Shot
I took this photo in Villa O'Higgins, a remote town in southern Chile, during my bicycle trip through Patagonia. I arrived at this place after I had been riding my bicycle for two weeks. At the end of an exhausting day I went for a stroll and came across a lookout. As a storm was developing, I saw a beam of light breaking through the clouds. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it was a peaceful and magical moment. —Feliciano Ripa
Sunset, South Africa. Photograph by Giampiero Torello, Your Shot
In the southern summer of 2012, I spent some weeks for work in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, together with my wife, and we used to take long walks on the beaches around the city in our spare time. One evening we came to a beach called Maitland, a large stretch of sand dunes. I took a few photographs of the beach while a light wind was moving the sand and the sky was getting cloudy. Gradually the sea and the sky became first gray and then brown before the sun went down. It lasted just a few minutes, but luckily I had not yet finished the battery of my smartphone! I did nothing to this photograph; I was surprised myself but the sunset really looked like this. —Giampiero Torello
Mount Errigal, Ireland. Photograph by Derek Smyth, Your Shot
While en route to another photo assignment I was drawn to this perfect reflection of Mount Errigal in the clear still water of Dunlewy Lough. I quickly set up my tripod and worked on getting this composition using the small bushes to break up the foreground. Mount Errigal is in County Donegal, Ireland. —Derek Smyth
Cherry Blossoms, Japan. Photograph by Hideyuki Katagiri
Cherry blossom is called sakura in Japanese. It is a Japanese symbolic flower. There are various kinds of cherry trees, and an especially old cherry tree is called edo-higan.
Tokai Forest, South Africa. Photograph by Penny R. Robartes, Your Shot
I woke up early to go take some photos of a haunted mansion in Tokai in Cape Town. I got lost down a dirt road of sorts and noticed how gorgeous the heavy mist looked as it hung low over Tokai forest. I went into the forest and was taking photographs when I saw a crow in the tree about to take off, so I aimed my camera to where I thought the crow would fly and captured it when it came into my frame. —Penny R. Robartes
Bluebells, Delaware. Photograph by Michael Melford, National Geographic
Bluebells blooming along the Brandywine River mark springtime in Delaware.
Farmhouse, Delaware. Photograph by Michael Melford, National Geographic
Painter Andrew Wyeth kept a secret studio a few miles from this Woodlawn farmhouse, creating works of art inspired by the surrounding landscape until his death in 2009. Some of his paintings evoke similar wintry scenes.
Хвераветлир, Исландия В Хвераветлире (что означает «горячие источники на равнине») в XVIII веке в пещере скрывались легендарный среди ирландцев беглец от закона Фьялла-Эйвиндур и его жена. Несколько зим они согревались у источников и воровали овец на летних пастбищах.
Crinoid, New Caledonia. Photograph by Rodolphe Holler, Your Shot
My home is Tahiti and I am a dive guide working on board private megayachts, joining my clients anywhere in the world for unique dive experiences. I was cruising New Caledonia with one of my clients, around the small Loyalty island of Ouvea. While we were diving over a beautiful untouched reef, I noticed this crinoid in the distance because of its unusual colors. When I got closer, I realized the high photo potential of this beautiful creature. Sea feathers are quite common around New Caledonia, but it was the only time I had come across this amazing, colorful specimen. —Rodolphe Holler
Национальный парк Улуру-Ката Тьюта, Австралия (Amy Toensing)
Аборигены Австралии тесно связаны с природой. Они смотрят на пустынные дубы и представляют питьевую воду в полостях дерева. Полная луна над национальным парком Улуру-Ката Тьюта дает им достаточно света для ночных мероприятий.
Горы Хаджхир, Йемен (Майкл Мелфорд)
Зазубренные гранитные пики гор Хаджхир вздымаются ввысь почти на полтора километра. По ночам у их вершин собираются облака, дающие влагу уникальной растительности острова Сокотры.
Озеро Пяти цветов, Китай
Небо и земля отражаются в озере Пяти цветов, причудливо окрашенном минеральными солями и водяными растениями. Китайцы называют эту картину волшебной. «Ничто на земле не может сравниться с Цзючжайгоу», — говорят они. (Michael Yamashita)
Sunrise, Badlands National Park. Photograph by Dan Dady, My Shot
Sunrise near Yellow Mounds, Badlands National Park
Orda Cave, Russia. Photograph by Viktor Lyagushkin
A diver swims through Orda Cave in Russia.
Swifts, Iguazu Falls. Photograph by Francesco Filippo Pellegrini
This picture was taken at the majestic Iguazu Falls. The flight of this flock of swifts across the huge waterfalls portrays the sense of freedom and wildness that belongs to this fantastic world wonder.
Waves, Iceland. Photograph by Sophie Carr
This is a one-second exposure of the trails left by a crashing wave over small icebergs on Jökulsárlón beach; I think it looks a bit like an octopus.
Соляная равнина Бонневилль, США (Jim Richardson)
Горизонт Бонневилльской соляной равнины в штате Юта окрашен в розоватый цвет отблесками города Солт-Лейк-Сити, находящегося более чем в ста пятидесяти километрах.