2014 National Geographic Photo Contest Amazes

National Geographic Magazine annual photo contest is under way again! Photographers can submit their stunning shots up until the October 31st deadline. Here are a few of our favorite wildlife photo submissions so far with the captions written by the original photographers. Also, find out how you can travel to see some of these natural wonders in their one of a kind habitats around the world!

 
“One of two polar bear cubs full of adrenaline on ice floes in Svalbard. The mother was just trying to have a quiet stroll but the cubs were not having any of that. This was the male cub and he just was so entertaining to watch.”

“Off the coast of Guadalupe Island, Mexico, great white sharks gather to feed on sea lions. It is an ideal place to observe these majestic animals in their natural state. Far from what is seen in Hollywood movies, the great white shark remains fearful of man and is not easily approached.”

Travel to Mexico with Natural Habitat Adventures to swim with the largest sharks in the ocean!

“There is a group of cormorants that fish close to my house in Seminole, Florida, and over time I have slowly approached them until they totally trust my presence and feel comfortable turning their backs on me when I am in close proximity. In this shot, I used a narrow DOF to hone the viewer’s eyes in on the mesmerizing eyes of the bird. I was astounded that the natural backdrop came out as if it was shot in a studio and so matched the coloration of the bird.”

See cormorants spread their wings to dry in the sun and dive for fish in the Galapagos Islands.

“Empusa pennata, a conehead mantis, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.”

“This photo I captured in the early afternoon in Sambas, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This particular species of lemur can glide through the air.”

See these wonderful and unique creatures in their jungle home on our wonderful Borneo Orangutan Adventure trip!

“In the salt lakes of the Mallee Region of Victoria in Murray Sunset National Park in Australia, a western grey kangaroo hops across a salt lake. It was a magical moment and gave the impression of the kangaroo magically walking on water.”

Journey through the outback in search of kangaroos and other wildlife on our new Australian Outback Adventure!

“Unexpected underwater encounter with a Green Iguana. I was attempting to take some overunder sunset shots in a semi-submerged cave in Bonaire, Kralendijk, Dutch Caribbean, when a Green Iguana swam toward my dome with an inquisitive look. Just in front of my lens, she came up to the surface to take a quick breath.”

“When the Mediterranean Mantis opened its wings, It seemed very impressive in the sunshine. Nicosia, Cyprus.”

Search for the Mediterranean Mantis as you kayak through the crystal clear waters surrounding Croatia on our Croatia and Montenegro Adventure!

“I barely slept a wink last night but watching the King of Arctic action was breathtaking. I spotted this full grown adult male polar bear, estimating about 400 kg, outside Churchill, Canada.”

See the King of the Arctic in all his natural splendor on one of our spectacular Churchill polar bear tours!

Have a breathtaking nature photo? Make sure to submit it to the National Geographic contest before the October 31st deadline!