An activist of the anti-G8 forum “Block G8” shows his middle finger to a police helicopter passing overhead June 07, 2007 at Bollhagen, near Heiligendamm, Germany. (Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

(L-R) Actors Oscar Sinela, Luis Fernandez, Ursula Corbero, Amaia Salamanca, Maxi Iglesias and Alba Ribas attend “XP3D” premiere at the Callao cinema on December 27, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

A plane passes the Full moon as it rises over Albert Bridge on February 7, 2012 in London, England. Albert Bridge is said to be one of the most romantic bridges in London, and will be the start point for the flotilla of boats that will make their way along the Thames as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Two young boys kneel on stools on either side of a round table as one uses a match to this the other's cigarette, November 12, 1928. (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)

American actress, singer, and model Zoë Kravitz poses for photographers upon arrival for the screening of the film “The Batman” in London Wednesday, February 23, 2022. (Photo by Joel C. Ryan/Invision/AP Photo)

Dancers disguised as forest spirits pose before performing during the Kendalisada Art Festival 2023 in Kaliori, Banyumas, Central Java, on September 9, 2023. (Photo by Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP Photo)

The Villarrica Volcano is seen at night from Villarrica area, Chile on November 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristobal Saavedra Escobar/Reuters)

Merit: A Night at Deadvlei. The night before returning to Windhoek, we spent several hours at Deadveli. The moon was bright enough to illuminate the sand dunes in the distance, but the skies were still dark enough to clearly see the milky way and magellanic clouds. Deadveli means “dead marsh. The camelthorn trees are believed to be about 900 years old, but have not decomposed because the environment is so dry. (Photo and caption by Beth McCarley/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)