Thunderstorm at False Kiva. National Geographic / Max Seigal

These are the best images from the National Geographic Traveler’s 25th annual photo contest. National Geographic Traveler magazine received more than 15,500 entries from skilled photographers from around the world.   Second place winner: Thunderstorm at False Kiva.   Image © National Geographic / Max Seigal

All images via National Geographic

First image ©  National Geographic / Wagner Araujo



The Brazilian Aquathlon (swimming and running) championship. National Geographic / Wagner Araujo

The Brazilian Aquathlon (swimming and running) championship.   National Geographic / Wagner Araujo

This is the winning photograph, snapped by Wagner Araujo in Brazil: “I was in Manaus, Amazonas, during the Brazilian Aquathlon (swimming and running) championship. I photographed it from the water and my lens got completely wet, but there was so much energy in these boys that I just didn’t worry about that.”

Merit winner: portrait of an eastern screech owl. National Geographic / Graham McGeorg

Merit winner: portrait of an eastern screech owl.   National Geographic / Graham McGeorg

Third place winner: 'Say cheese' National Geographic / Yanai Bonneh

Third place winner: ‘Say cheese’.    National Geographic / Yanai Bonneh

Another Perspective of the Day, The fisherman at Bira Beach. National Geographic / Dody Kusuma

Viewers Choice: Another Perspective of the Day, The fisherman at Bira Beach.   National Geographic / Dody Kusuma

Cape town fog National Geographic / Eric Nathan

Outdoor scenes category : Cape town fog.    National Geographic / Eric Nathan

Great white shark of Guadalpe island National Geographic / Marc Henauer

Outdoor scenes category : Great white shark of Guadalpe island.    National Geographic / Marc Henauer

via io9

source National Geographic Traveler