Sunday, September 30, 2012

Prayer Flags, Wyoming

Prayer Flags, Wyoming

Photograph by Aaron Huey, National Geographic

Nine-year-old Wakinyan Two Bulls places prayer flags in a tree near Mato Tipila ("bear lodge"), or Devils Tower, in Wyoming . The story of the Oglala their spirituality and their fight to remedy old wrongs goes well beyond the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Learn about the Pine Ridge Community Storytelling Project » See pictures from National Geographic Photo Camp at Pine Ridge »

Muckross Lake, Ireland

Muckross Lake, Ireland

Photograph by Anthony Byrne , My Shot

Captured on Muckross Lake as the first green shoots appear on a day of typical weather in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

Take a visual tour of Ireland » Get tips on photographing weather »

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Lizard, Cuba

Lizard, Cuba

Photograph by Lee Daubney, Your Shot

Peering into a pineapple plant while on a trek within Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, Cuba , I was surprised to find a new subject.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

Browse galleries of animal photos » Get macro photography tips »

Friday, September 28, 2012

Kali Gandaki River, Nepal

Kali Gandaki River, Nepal

Photograph by Cory Richards, National Geographic

Climbers and scientists follow a trail above the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal 's remote Mustang region. More than 60 feet above are rows of unexplored man-made caves dug centuries ago. There may be thousands in the region.

See pictures of Nepal shot by our fans »

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Frosted Trees, Alaska

Frosted Trees, Alaska

Photograph by Susan Stevenson, Your Shot

I took this photo from my back deck in North Pole, Alaska . It was early evening and the full moon was moving through the sky, illuminating the frosted trees and turning the sky cobalt blue.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

See pictures of snow shot by our fans » See pictures of Alaska »

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Seamount, Cortes Bank

Seamount, Cortes Bank

Photograph by Brian Skerry , National Geographic

An orange sheephead, slender wrasses, and other fish swim through a forest of coralline algae and kelp stalks swaying in the current around Cortes Bank. "The communities you find on seamounts are like oases in otherwise deep water," says Bruce Robison, senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California.

Browse pictures of ocean wildlife » See more underwater pictures by Brian Skerry »

Monday, September 24, 2012

Storm Chasing

Storm Chasing

Photograph by Carsten Peter , National Geographic

With a 1,600-pound camera he calls the Kahuna in tow, storm chaser Tim Samaras is on the hunt for an elusive shot of a lightning strike the moment it is born.

See pictures of wacky weather » Get tips on photographing weather »

Catamount Mountain, Adirondacks

Catamount Mountain, Adirondacks

Photograph by Michael Melford , National Geographic

Conifers green the crevices of Catamount Mountain while the forest below is in its last incandescence before winter.

See pictures of autumn landscapes »

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Cheetah and Cub

Cheetah and Cub

Photograph by Allison Choate , My Shot

Cheetah and cub

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Aurora Borealis, Svalbard

Aurora Borealis, Svalbard

Photograph by Max Edin, Your Shot

I was visiting Longyearbyen, Svalbard, way up over the Arctic Circle, when I decided one clear night to go out and photograph the stars. After I made it to the location I'd chosen and had set up my exposure, the most beautiful aurora borealis show I've ever witnessed happened right overhead. The full moon at the time helped brighten up the foreground, creating this image.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

Download aurora wallpapers » Explore Norway's Arctic archipelago »

Friday, September 21, 2012

Green Sea Turtle, Red Sea

Green Sea Turtle, Red Sea

Photograph by Dmitry Marchenko, Your Shot

Gaze of a green turtle . South Egypt , Red Sea. Taken November 27, 2010.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

See pictures of marine wildlife » Get tips on photographing underwater »

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Winter, Pakistan

Winter, Pakistan

Photograph by Kamraan Saleem, Your Shot

Winter in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

See pictures of winter landscapes » Get tips on photographing weather » See pictures of the seven stans »

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Eyjafjallaj kull, Iceland

Eyjafjallaj  kull, Iceland

Photograph by Orsolya and Erlend Haarberg

The volcano Eyjafjallaj kull, in Iceland , just before dawn on April 23, 2010: The worst is over. Lava flows freely. Earlier, as it punched through the ice cap, it triggered a meltwater flood that destroyed roads and farms, and a steam explosion that hurled ash into the stratosphere, stopping air traffic for a week.

See pictures of wild weather » See pictures of Eyjafjallaj kull's eruption »

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Mangroves, Central America

Mangroves, Central America

Photograph by Brian Skerry , National Geographic

Mangroves contribute to the system by trapping reef-bound sediment, filtering out pollution, and serving as nursery for many reef fish and invertebrates. The arched roots of mangroves like these form gateways through which multitudes of juveniles swim toward adulthood on the reef.

See pictures of underwater landscapes » See more pictures by Brian Skerry »

Monday, September 17, 2012

Desert Rose, Socotra

Desert Rose, Socotra

Photograph by Mark W. Moffett , National Geographic

A desert rose anchors itself on the Maalah cliffs, in the company of more than 300 other rare plant species on Socotra. In the distance lies Qulansiyah, one of the island's largest towns.

See pictures of extreme landscapes » See pictures of destinations around the world »

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Bruneau River System, Idaho

Bruneau River System, Idaho

Photograph by Michael Melford , National Geographic

Bruneau River System Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness, Idaho 94.7 miles protected since 2009

See pictures of freshwater rivers » Calculate your water footprint »

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Riga, Latvia

Riga, Latvia

Photograph by Sigita Sica, Your Shot

This is autumn 2011 in the city center of Riga, the capital city of Latvia .

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

See pictures of European cities shot by our fans » See pictures of autumn landscapes » Get tips for photographing cities »

Friday, September 14, 2012

Seal and Crab, Gal pagos

Seal and Crab, Gal  pagos

Photograph by Benjamin Jakabek , My Shot

This was taken on Santiago Island in the Galápagos Islands . The photo is of a Gal pagos fur seal and a Sally Lightfoot crab resting side by side.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

See pictures of World Heritage sites » See pictures of animals of the Galápagos »

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Photograph by Wild Wonders of Europe

The first beams of a June day spotlight a ridge of rusty volcanic rhyolite at Landmannalaugar, a hikers' favorite. The Haarbergs hiked up to an overlook after midnight; at dawn, around 3 a.m., the clouds gave them a tiny break. "Five minutes and it was over," says Orsolya.

Take a visual tour of Iceland » See pictures of extreme landscapes »

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Crocodile, Serengeti

Crocodile, Serengeti

Photograph by Paul Coleman , My Shot

Close-up of a crocodile s teeth

(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)

See pictures of patterns in nature » See more pictures of animals »

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Ural Owls, Estonia

Ural Owls, Estonia

Photograph by Sven Za ek

She looks sweet grooming her chick, but don't mess with mom's nest: Ural owls are aggressively territorial. "I've made an 'agreement' with the females that the price to band and measure one nestling is six hard punches on the head," says Finnish ornithologist Pertti Saurola.

Download bird wallpapers » See more pictures of animal mothers and their young »

Monday, September 10, 2012

Swimmers, Russia

Swimmers, Russia

Photograph by Jonas Bendiksen , National Geographic

Summer, the short, sweet release from the interminable cocoon of Russian winter, is a time for swimming and riding, and sometimes both in the cottage community of Vyalki.

See pictures of summer scenes » Take a visual tour of Russia »

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Cabbage Coral, Indonesia

Cabbage Coral, Indonesia

Photograph by Brian Skerry, National Geographic

An expanse of cabbage coral attached to the slope of a seamount near Raja Ampat provides shelter for crabs, shrimps, and other animals. Passing schools of fish may feed on these invertebrates as well as on plankton brought up by strong currents.

Explore pictures of ocean life and landscapes » Browse pictures from Brian Skerry's Ocean Soul » Download coral wallpapers »

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Elephants, South Africa

Elephants, South Africa

Photograph by Doug Croft, Your Shot

We sat in our safari vehicle and watched as several family groups of elephants (about 150 individuals) crossed the Sand River in the Mala Mala Game Reserve. As the light got better, the scene became even more surreal.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

Get tips on photographing wildlife » See pictures of South Africa shot by our fans »

Friday, September 7, 2012

Sunrise, Bryce Canyon

Sunrise, Bryce Canyon

Photograph by Munish Singla, Your Shot

At Inspiration Point, one of the best experiences ever. The place was so full of peace and calmness. I returned from this place completely relaxed and rejuvenated—exactly the way we want our vacation to end.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

Explore pictures of desert landscapes » See pictures of national parks » See pictures of earth and sky »

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tornado, North Dakota

Tornado, North Dakota

Photograph by Mitch Dobrowner

Regan, North Dakota A dying tornado like this one is said to be in the "roping out" phase.

See pictures of extreme weather » Get tips on photographing weather » Download weather wallpapers »

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Al Saleh Mosque, Yemen

Al Saleh Mosque, Yemen

Photograph by Stephanie Sinclair , National Geographic

Lights atop the 300-foot minarets at four-year-old al Saleh Mosque glow during a storm in Sanaa. The $60 million house of worship is Yemen 's largest and most extravagant, named for Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down in February after 33 years as president. It opened with claims of promoting moderate Islam. But militant groups have only gained strength.

Get tips on photographing weather » See pictures of the Middle East shot by our fans »

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Litlanesfoss, Iceland

Litlanesfoss, Iceland

Photograph by Wild Wonders of Europe

At Litlanesfoss, the waterfall cross-sections an ancient lava flow, which formed columns as it cooled.

Explore ecological wonders of Europe » See pictures of waterscapes around the world »

Monday, September 3, 2012

Star Trails, New Jersey

Star Trails, New Jersey

Photograph by Jack Fusco, Your Shot

Taken on April 19, 2012, in Strathmere, New Jersey. These star trails show the Milky Way rising over the Atlantic Ocean.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

Get tips on using special photographic techniques » Get tips on photographing the Milky Way »

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Tulip and Geraniums

Tulip and Geraniums

Photograph by Andon Andonov , My Shot

In the garden

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

Download flower wallpapers » Get tips on photographing nature »

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Ipanema, Brazil

Ipanema, Brazil

Photograph by Giovani Cordioli, My Shot

Brazilian capoeira is a traditional dance with amazing fight steps originating from slavery.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)