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“The Power of Nature” by Sergio Tapiro Velasco

“The Power of Nature” by Sergio Tapiro Velasco

Winning Photos from National Geographic's 2017 Travel Photographer of the Year

Ryan Nance August 2, 2017

“When I looked on the camera display, all I could do was stare,” Velasco tells Nat Geo. “What I was watching was impossible to conceive, the image showed those amazing forces of nature interacting on a volcano, while the lightning brightened the whole scene. It’s an impossible photograph and my once in a lifetime shot that shows the power of nature.”

Grand prize winner Sergio Tapiro Velasc shot this on December 13th, 2015, outside Colima, Mexico, at the Volcán de Colima. 

See all the winning photos

3rd Place. Photo and caption by Misha De-Stroyev/ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Henningsvær Football Field. "This football field in Henningsvær in the Lofoten Islands is considered one of the most amazing fields in Europe, and…

3rd Place. Photo and caption by Misha De-Stroyev/ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Henningsvær Football Field. "This football field in Henningsvær in the Lofoten Islands is considered one of the most amazing fields in Europe, and maybe even in the world. The photo was taken during a 10-day sailing trip in Norway in June 2017. We arrived at Henningsvær after a week of sailing through the cold and rainy weather. Upon our arrival, the weather cleared up. I was really lucky that the conditions were suitable for flying my drone, and I managed to capture this shot from a height of 120 meters."

PEOPLE - 2nd Place. Photo and caption by Julius Y./ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Interesting moment. "Museum visitors curiously watching Rembrandt’s painting  'Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild' where it gave the illusion th…

PEOPLE - 2nd Place. Photo and caption by Julius Y./ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Interesting moment. "Museum visitors curiously watching Rembrandt’s painting  'Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild' where it gave the illusion that the people on the paintings too are curiously watching the visitors."

NATURE - Honorable Mention 2. Photo and caption by Yutaka Takafuji/ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Forest of the Fairy. "Shooting in the forest This photograph was taken in the evening hours of a humid early summer day in …

NATURE - Honorable Mention 2. Photo and caption by Yutaka Takafuji/ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Forest of the Fairy. "Shooting in the forest This photograph was taken in the evening hours of a humid early summer day in the forest of a small remote village in the Tamba area of Japan. It beautifully captures the magical atmosphere of Princess fireflies carpeting a stairway leading to a small shrine revered by the local people."

NATURE - 3rd Place. Photo and caption by Tarun Sinha/ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles. "This image was captured in Costa Rica when I was traveling from Monteverde to Playa Hermosa. As you cross ov…

NATURE - 3rd Place. Photo and caption by Tarun Sinha/ National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles. "This image was captured in Costa Rica when I was traveling from Monteverde to Playa Hermosa. As you cross over this river, you can stop and peer over the edge of the bridge. Below, reside over 35 gigantic crocodiles, relaxing on the muddy banks of the river. I wanted to capture the stark difference between the crocodiles on land and in the water. In the murky waters, the body contours of these beasts remain hidden, and one can only truly see their girth as they emerge from the river."

In 5tilt Tags national geographic, photography
Hanging AroundA two year old Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) of the Sabinyo family, plays in the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. In 1981, this population fell to 240 because of rampent poaching and habitat loss. Today …

Hanging Around

A two year old Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) of the Sabinyo family, plays in the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. In 1981, this population fell to 240 because of rampent poaching and habitat loss. Today the population is estimated to be around 800 and rising and this photograph represents the exciting turn around and hope for the next generation. Thank you to the conservationists, rangers and educators working to protect these magnificent cousins of ours and their habitat in the Virunga massif.

Photo and caption by Peter Stanley/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Absolutely Stunning Animal Photos from the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Ryan Nance May 16, 2013

​Amongst the many adventure and historic photos in the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest are an amazing collection of animal portraits. 

Curious WhalesharkWhaleshark encounter in the Bohol Sea, Philippines.Photo and caption by Jonne Seijdel/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Curious Whaleshark

Whaleshark encounter in the Bohol Sea, Philippines.

Photo and caption by Jonne Seijdel/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Gentoo ChicksTwo newly hatched Gentoo Penguin chicks get their first glimpse at the Antarctic wilderness.Photo and caption by Richard Sidey/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Gentoo Chicks

Two newly hatched Gentoo Penguin chicks get their first glimpse at the Antarctic wilderness.

Photo and caption by Richard Sidey/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Osprey LaunchingI clicked this photo as the osprey was taking off from his perch.Photo and caption by Mark Gottlieb/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Osprey Launching

I clicked this photo as the osprey was taking off from his perch.

Photo and caption by Mark Gottlieb/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
TogethernessA family of snow monkeys cuddling up together for security and warmth. They appeared very protective of one another and seemed unsure of my presence.Photo and caption by Petra Bensted/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Togetherness

A family of snow monkeys cuddling up together for security and warmth. They appeared very protective of one another and seemed unsure of my presence.

Photo and caption by Petra Bensted/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Unexpected AllianceI have seen alligators and turtles together in ponds before, but never like this! I was at Bluebill Pond in Harris Neck NWR when I saw what I thought was an alligator sunning itself on a stump. As I got closer I realized that it w…

Unexpected Alliance

I have seen alligators and turtles together in ponds before, but never like this! I was at Bluebill Pond in Harris Neck NWR when I saw what I thought was an alligator sunning itself on a stump. As I got closer I realized that it was actually perched on the back of a turtle! I wish I had been there to witness how this surprising esprit de corps had came to pass!

Photo and caption by Mary Ellen Urbanski/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
Looking Into My EyesThis picture was taken on a game drive in the Addo Elephant National Park, the third largest national park in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The park contains a wide diversity of fauna, flora and landscapes and incorporates semi…

Looking Into My Eyes

This picture was taken on a game drive in the Addo Elephant National Park, the third largest national park in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The park contains a wide diversity of fauna, flora and landscapes and incorporates semi-arid landscapes all the way to a marine reserve. These zebra were so calm and you just got the feeling they wanted to be photographed!

Photo and caption by Natalie Murray/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
In the RainThis photograph was taken while I was on vacation in South Carolina. It was a rainy miserable day until I happened upon this alligator hanging out in a local pond.Photo and caption by Kandace Stroupe/National Geographic Traveler Photo Con…

In the Rain

This photograph was taken while I was on vacation in South Carolina. It was a rainy miserable day until I happened upon this alligator hanging out in a local pond.

Photo and caption by Kandace Stroupe/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Ruffled Feather InspectionA cafe outside of Aquas Calientes in the Cuzco region of Peru has perches for wild parrots that come and feed on seed and fruit left out for them. This curious little fella was peeking out from behind a leaf to get a better…

Ruffled Feather Inspection

A cafe outside of Aquas Calientes in the Cuzco region of Peru has perches for wild parrots that come and feed on seed and fruit left out for them. This curious little fella was peeking out from behind a leaf to get a better look at me. Apparently he was entertained by the odd human with the camera because he let me get only a few inches away, where my ring light could better illuminate his beautiful feathers.

Photo and caption by Adam Lichtcsien/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
Oregon LionSea lion on Pacific coast of Oregon.Photo and caption by Gary Migues/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Oregon Lion

Sea lion on Pacific coast of Oregon.

Photo and caption by Gary Migues/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
FighterTwo vultures in action. From Massai Mara in Kenya, while they are fighting.Photo and caption by Majed Ali/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Fighter

Two vultures in action. From Massai Mara in Kenya, while they are fighting.

Photo and caption by Majed Ali/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
One Mothers LovePhoto and caption by Graham McGeorgeI love watching the affection and attention that Bonobos have for their young. They truly are a wonderful species of ape.​

One Mothers Love

Photo and caption by Graham McGeorge

I love watching the affection and attention that Bonobos have for their young. They truly are a wonderful species of ape.

​

Morning Game DriveOur first morning game drive on safari in South Africa brought us this magnificent leopard. He was bathed in the orange hues of the sunrise and it was breathtaking.Photo and caption by Douglas Croft/National Geographic Traveler Pho…

Morning Game Drive

Our first morning game drive on safari in South Africa brought us this magnificent leopard. He was bathed in the orange hues of the sunrise and it was breathtaking.

Photo and caption by Douglas Croft/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
via My Modern Met
In 5tilt Tags animal portraits, national geographic

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