“Maasai Women”. A Maasai women stands before her tribe. Photo location: Maasai Mara, Kenya. (Photo and caption by Seth Langbauer/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Playful Observer”. A man sits in the window of his second-story apartment playing music while waiting for the parade to start. The parade was part of the Iron Horse Festival, which serves as a homecoming and celebration of heritage in New Haven, Kentucky. Photo location: New Haven, Kentucky, United States. (Photo and caption by Kacie Goode/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Awe and Tranquility ”. We travled up north from Banta Barbara to stay in the beautiful beach meets forest setting of Monterey. I have family in Pacific Grove, so this has been an area I've been traveling to all my life. As youngsters we use to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but it was a completely different experience now that I'm older. I wanted to share some of my childhood experiences with my adventurous love so after grabbing a delicious hot bowl of chowder we set off for the aquarium. I think I captured her admiration in a beautiful moment. Photo location: Monterey Bay, California. (Photo and caption by Ross Gill/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Painted Ladies”. Young women dress up and have their faces painted to celebrate the dead. Dia de los Muertos is an incredible celebration of life, and a beautiful way to remember those who have passed. Photo location: Oaxaca, Mexico. (Photo and caption by Daniel Kudish/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Enlightenment”. The teacher imparting ancient India scriptures, Rig Vedas to the students of the 400 year old Vedic Research Center of Kerala, one of the oldest in India. The teaching is done by traditional means of chanting and actions by hand and not by books. The students look at the the way the teacher is chanting and memorizes the method. The total year of learning is 4-1/2 years to complete the three Vedas. Photo location: Trissur, Kerala, India. (Photo and caption by Sreeranj Sreedhar/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Half Dome Yosemite large fire”. This was taken at 3am with a 1 minute exposure showing Half Dome and the fire that was raging in the valley behind it. Photo location: Yosemite Glacier Point, CA. (Photo and caption by Judge Helbig/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“A game of shadows”. I took this picture in London (Tate modern). Was a game between lights and shadows where everyone played a role. Photo location: London, UK. (Photo and caption by Ignace Benjamin/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Life ”. “Nothing prepared me for the loss of my mother. Even knowing that she would die did not prepare me. A mother, after all is your entry into the world. She is the shell in which you divide and become life. Waking up in a world without her is like waking up in the world with out the sky: unimaginable” – Meghan O'Rourke. Photo location: Melbourne, Australia. (Photo and caption by Sanja Burns/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Taj Mahal sunrise”. In the early morning, the fog of early march spreads the light. It s like we were still under drugs. Photo location: Agra, India. (Photo and caption by Thomas Dorleans/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Man”. People traveled from all over the world to Burning Man to gather at the Man's feet. A symbol that meant something different to every single individual. A group of my campmates and I made the journey via our art car this afternoon. It was the first time I experienced a dust storm whiteout. My camera will always have the fine powder in its crevices. All the elements in this scene were driving towards the man and I wanted to capture that directional flow. Photo location: “Burning Man”, USA. (Photo and caption by Lace Andersen/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Hot Air Balloon”. A valley in Cappadocia explored by hot air balloon. Photo location: Cappadocia, Turkey. (Photo and caption by Seth Langbauer/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Blue Universe”. I took this picture at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The flowers are nemophila and the whole number of it in the park is 4.5 millions. The best season is usually from the end of April to the first week of May. I wish to go into the blue universe again next year to photograph. Photo location: Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo and caption by Hiroki Kondo/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Climber”. Climbers are creatures that climb high up toward the heavens, and their hands are tools for grabbing hold of the summit. Photo location: Chamonix, France. (Photo and caption by Yosuke Kashiwakura/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“From the sky”. On the coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, we have quite the selection of affectionate green turtles (Chelonia mydas). I find myself devoting much time to these curious creatures. This turtle was coming fron the surface with the sun behind it, and the sunrays surrounding it gave it a special majestry. Photo location: Tenerfe (Canary islands). (Photo and caption by Montse Grillo/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Misty Morning”. Every morning, people expect sunny weather. Photo location: Bali, Indonesia. (Photo and caption by Henry Adam/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Wave”. I met a man at “The Wave”. He was by himself and had a beacon for safety. It's not easy to go there for sure. Photo location: Arizona, USA. (Photo and caption by Takashi Nakagawa/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Success”. A puffin returns from a fishing expedition with a good catch. Photo location: Iceland. (Photo and caption by Peter Allinson/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Hello Friends”. White lips green tree frog behind the red flowers. Photo location: Jakarta. (Photo and caption by Lessy Sebastian/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Flight at Sunset”. A kori bustard enjoying a beautiful African sunset. Photo location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (Photo and caption by Hamish Mitchell/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“UN[DOMESTICATED]”. A magic journey within a silent scream. Photo location: South Africa. (Photo and caption by Cathrin Schulz/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“The Rainforest´s Rainbow”. In the rainforest of Africa inhabited by the last individuals of a species that in the past had to be very large, the Mandrillus. Today the species is seriously endangered by the illegal bushmeat trade and the destruction of its last refuges. Photo location: Gabón. (Photo and caption by José Mingorance/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Proportions...” A herd of elephants approached our car in the Serengeti, Tanzania. When the biggest male walked by, he turned sideways and I could see the rest of the herd in the background between his legs – putting things in proportion... Photo location: Serengeti, Tanzania. (Photo and caption by Yaron Schmid/National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Bringing home breakfast”. This osprey had just captured this fish and I was lucky enough to capture this dramatic shot as he took off with his wings in the angel position, clutching a fish in one talon, and making direct eye contact with me. And then I shot a whole sequence of him making a left turn from here, landing in his nest and sharing his catch with his mate sitting in the nest. I have photographed this osprey often in that he has made his nest in the same spot for 4 years. His name is Fleck due to a fleck in his right eye at the 7 o'clock position. I have been shooting since the late '40s and this is my best. Photo location: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. (Photo and caption by Sandy Scott/National Geographic Photo Contest)