House of Annapurna
Photograph by Daniel Hoshizaki, National Geographic Your Shot

“Taking the less traveled foot trails on Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit can be immensely rewarding,” writes Your Shot member Daniel Hoshizaki. He captured this shot from a trail between Chamje and Tal, now skipped by most in favor of a new—and much easier—road. “But taking the road means missing some of the most spectacular scenery on the entire circuit,” he writes. “The unfolding view of the river, canyon, and lush vegetation kept beckoning me to climb higher up the trail in order to capture the magnificence of the range’s landscape.”

Golden Goal
Photograph by Florian Goppold, National Geographic Your Shot

“I was sitting in a small bar watching the kids playing soccer in the sunset,” writes Your Shot member Florian Goppold, whose trip through Brazil took him for a few days to Salvador da Bahia. “It was one of these great moments on the Praia do Farol da Barra. I was fascinated—the waves were high and the sea was roaring. The setting sun produced amazing colors.” Goppold waited for the right moment to capture the silhouettes of the soccer players with the lighthouse in the background. “It was my golden goal,” he writes.

Rock Art
Photograph by Alexey Kharitnov

The shadows of rocks both tumbled and towering dip into valleys on the floor of the Sahara. Here on a plateau in the Tassili n'Ajjer region of Algeria, the desert and its rock forests shelter prehistoric remnants dating to 10,000 B.C. Ceramic materials, paintings, and 15,000 engravings—among other artifacts—have been identified since the first discoveries at Tassili in 1933.

The Dreaming Tree
Photograph by Christian Spencer

In the Strzelecki Desert of Australia, a flock of galahs replenishes with the small amount of water available at the base of a lonely tree. “It was a rare opportunity to get such a clear and symmetrical shot of these beautiful birds in flight in the middle of the desert,” writes photographer Christian Spencer.

Inside Out
Photograph by Ragnheidur Arngrímsdóttir

“Flying with my father over Bárðarbunga to experience this eruption from inside our Earth was amazing,” writes photographer Ragnheidur Arngrímsdóttir, who captured this picture near Iceland’s Holuhraun lava field. “The power, heat, and beauty were overwhelming. On many occasions you feel how small you are [beside] nature. This was one of those times for me.”

Whale of a Tail
Photograph by Shane Gross, National Geographic Your Shot

A sperm whale “waves goodbye” to Your Shot member Shane Gross, who had traveled to Sri Lanka’s east coast hoping to photograph blue whales. “While we did have some success with the blues, it was the sperm whales that stole the show,” he writes. He captured this picture toward the end of the six-day expedition. “It was late in the day and the sun was low as this small pod swam toward me, and I did my best to keep quiet so as to not frighten them. This one started to dive and I free dove right after her, trying to get as close to that massive tail as possible. I knew she might be the last whale I'd encounter on the trip, and indeed, she was.”

Flying Leap
Photograph by Pete McBride

A wild ibex soars across Tapovan Creek, one of the many small tributaries that form the headwaters of India’s Ganges River. Photographer Pete McBride captured this photo while on an expedition following the Hindus’ sacred river from its source in the Himalaya to the Bay of Bengal.

Under Thin Ice
Photograph by Sergey Krasnoshchokov, National Geographic Your Shot

On Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, fire and ice meet to form an otherworldly underground. Located on a slope of the peninsula’s Mutnovsky volcano, the cave’s stream is fed by volcanic hot springs. Sunlight filters through thinning glacial ice above.

“It took me two trips to the shoreline and a number of attempts to obtain the image I wanted,” he writes. “It was meant to emphasize the incredible number of birds, their sense of freedom, and the sheer power of nature.”

Making Hay
Photograph by Andrius Jonusas, National Geographic Your Shot

“My camera is always with me when I jump in a cockpit,” writes Your Shot member Andrius Jonusas, who’s taken to merging his two hobbies—flying and photography. He captured this shot on a flight from Pociūnai, Lithuania, to Leszno, Poland. “My colleague and I were flying to see a day of the World Gliding Championships,” he writes. “This was taken about 50 kilometers [31 miles] east of Olsztyn in the Masurian region of northern Poland.”

A Window on Wonder
Photograph by Pete McBride

Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come to the holy city of Rishikesh, India, to visit the Ganges and give offerings. Shops lining the streets display spiritual items and colorful toys, here captivating a boy’s attention.

Dangerous Beauty
Photograph by Garth Lenz

Disguised by the beauty of a reflection, this toxic tailings pond in Alberta, Canada, is a considerable health risk. Such vast lakes—made up of oil sands development residue, or tailings—are completely unlined, and 19 of them lie on either side of the Athabasca River. Individual ponds can range in size up to 8,850 acres.

In for a Treat
Photograph by Florian Kuster, National Geographic Your Shot

“This beautiful hummingbird had been dancing with this amazing flower in the Costa Rican highlands,” writes Your Shot member Florian Kuster. “His attitude, colors, and plumage were just sublime. One can see all the details of even the smallest feather despite the fast movement of the bird’s wings.”

Svan Rider
Photograph by Aaron Huey, National Geographic

Centuries-old defensive towers loom over remote villages in the Svaneti region of Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains. Svans in the collection of villages that make up Ushguli—a World Heritage site—hold on to deep traditions. Horses still provide reliable transport throughout the largely roadless region.

Withered
Photograph by Matsuura Tomoya, National Geographic Your Shot

“I live in a typical Japanese town and often go for a walk at dusk,” writes Matsuura Tomoya, a member of our Your Shot community. “On my walking route, there are small plants that nobody ever takes any notice of growing in the cracks of the asphalt road.” Tomoya picked up some of the withered plants and used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to capture this image.

“There is even more magnificent nature existing in each small part of what we often think of as nature, and a life-and-death drama is repeatedly played out there,” he writes.

On Faith
Photograph by Peter Essick, National Geographic

In California’s Central Valley, water in wildlife refuges is down by around 30 percent. Here, migratory geese on their journey north congregate on the Faith Ranch near the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, one of the Central Valley’s few scraps of native wildlife habitat.

Call of the Wild
Photograph by Linda Porter, National Geographic Your Shot

A lioness roars a warning to her cubs in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. “She was perched on a hill right on the side of the dirt road,” writes Your Shot member Linda Porter, who captured the picture on an evening game drive. On an opposite hill were three young male lions, which sometimes kill cubs. “Our guide knew this lioness had three young cubs that were were out of sight and hidden. We observed her for over an hour as she continued to call out to her cubs, warning them of the potential danger that lurked across the way. Unlike most of our children, these cubs were extremely obedient and remained hidden.”

Net Collection
Photograph by Binh Pham, National Geographic Your Shot

Fishing nets are collected on a beach near Da Nang, Vietnam. Located on the central Vietnamese coast, the city of Da Nang is a gateway to popular beaches, the World Heritage sites of Hoi An and My Son, and the Marble Mountains.

Hollow Greeting
Photograph by Karthik Vilwanathan, National Geographic Your Shot

An owl peers from a tree hollow in Northumberland, United Kingdom. After unlucky weather derailed a trip to see puffins on the Farne Islands, Your Shot member Karthik Vilwanathan drove with a friend around a nearby woodland area, hoping to see birds of prey. “This time we were lucky,” he writes. “I saw this little owl pop its head out a few times from the tree, so I waited patiently, and 20 minutes later I captured this image.”

Blessed Beast
Photograph by Aaron Huey, National Geographic

Traditions endure in the Svaneti region, high in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains. Here, a bull with candles on its horns is blessed at a tenth-century church near the town of Mestia before being sacrificed for a February feast dating from pre-Christian times.

Hay Kids
Photograph by Malgorzata Walkowska, National Geographic Your Shot

A road trip to Poland’s Masurian Lake District included this moment of summertime joy for the traveling family of Your Shot member Malgorzata Walkowska. “Being impressed with the beauty of the landscape, we decided to make a stop by this field of hay bales and take some nature shots,” writes Walkowska. “Before I knew it, my niece—who trains in gymnastics—was happily jumping from one bale to another, presenting her skills.”

Green Day
Photograph by Nicolas Le Boulanger, National Geographic Your Shot

Famous for changing the color of their skin, chameleons are more like mood rings, with their color changes reflecting mood, temperature, light, and other stimuli.

Hazy Arizona
Photograph by Peter Essick, National Geographic

The American West faces persistent drought, whether or not relief comes this winter. The population of the Phoenix area (Sun City is pictured here) grew four times larger between 1970 and 2010. The Central Arizona Project, a 336-mile-long system of canals and pipelines, carries Colorado River water through the desert to the Phoenix metro area.

Wishful Thinking
Photograph by Sherry Zhao, National Geographic Your Shot

“The sky transformed itself into a splendid and surreal sea of lanterns carrying all kinds of wishes,” writes Your Shot member Sherry Zhao of the scene at the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Here, a couple makes a wish before releasing a lantern into the night sky. “This enchanted moment is truly embedded in my memory,” Zhao writes. “I’m glad I was fast enough to lie down on the ground and capture the serene moment between this young couple, who drew my attention with their sincere expressions before sending out the lantern, sending up hope.”

Frozen
Photograph by Felix Inden, National Geographic Your Shot

Hunched like an animal in repose, a large piece of ice catches the light at Breidamerkursandur, a black-sand beach in southeastern Iceland. Just after sunrise, Your Shot member Felix Inden had left behind a portion of the beach crowded with photo tours. “I just wanted to be alone and look at those waves, patterns, and ice,” he writes. This particular piece caught his eye quickly as he walked down the beach. “Somehow I felt that we were friends and called him Luigi.”

Blowing in the Wind
Photograph by Marc Ressang, National Geographic Your Shot

Paper prayers flutter on the wind near the village of Maniganggo in China’s Sichuan Province. Your Shot member Marc Ressang was attending a seven-day horse-racing festival in the region. “Before the races started, the visitors went up a sacred hilltop to throw their prayers in the air,” he writes. “I used my 16-35mm lens to achieve a wide shot, positioning myself a bit farther down the hill and facing the wind so the prayers would fly in my direction to fill up the frame.”

Autumn Portrait
Photograph by Regina, National Geographic Your Shot

A forested park is suffused with the golden glow of autumn in the northern European country of Lithuania. Bordering the eastern Baltic Sea, the country’s landscape consists of gently rolling plains and extensive forests.

Spirits of Westminster
Photograph by Valerios Theofanidis, National Geographic Your Shot

“I remember that cold, foggy February morning—it was 7 a.m. when I arrived at London's Westminster Bridge,” writes Valerios Theofanidis, a member of our Your Shot community. “In modern times, the thick fog in Britain is less frequent, so when it comes many photographers try to catch the moment.” Theofanidis did a series of shots and walked along the north and south embankments of the Thames before returning to the bridge when the sun had risen higher. “Its ambient light created fantastic, surreal views of the bridge and the Houses of Parliament. Walking people looked like spirits.”

Red Fish, Blue Fish
Photograph by Tracey Jennings, National Geographic Your Shot

While traveling in Central America, Your Shot member Tracey Jennings dove in the waters off Costa Rica’s Cocos Island, a 36-hour sail from the mainland. “On this particular dive, at a site called Dirty Rock, I was mesmerized both by how remote and how beautiful the volcanic scenery was,” Jennings writes. “As we swam along, I looked up and noticed a school of horse-eye jacks spilling over the rock like a waterfall.”

Flame Trees
Photograph by Christine Garner, National Geographic Your Shot

A wildfire rages at the Saskatchewan River Crossing in Alberta, Canada. Your Shot member Christine Garner was vacationing in the park when a sharp turn in the road revealed the blaze. “I was so shocked to see a fire of this magnitude,” she writes.

Key to Survival
Photograph by Matthieu Paley, National Geographic

The Kyrgyz of the Pamir Mountains in northern Afghanistan live at a high altitude where no crops grow. Survival depends on the animals that they milk, butcher, and barter.

Here, Ayeem Khan wears boots borrowed from her father and the red veil of an unmarried Kyrgyz girl, to be traded for a white one when she weds. Twice a day she milks the family’s yaks; some milk curd will be dried for use in winter, when yaks give less.

Savoring Chance
Photograph by Cedric Favero, National Geographic Your Shot

Terraced salt pans dip into the Sacred Valley north of Cusco, Peru. Your Shot member Cedric Favero wanted to give an idea of the dimension of the site, called the Salinas de Maras. “The few workers on-site were too far away or kneeling,” he writes. “I moved around looking for someone and found this worker walking on the edges of the ponds. I waited until he reached this larger pond, where his silhouette would be detached from the background.”

On the Line
Photograph by Brian Skerry, National Geographic

An underwater paradise in the remote Pacific Ocean that includes the sea around the southern Line Islands (Caroline Island is seen here) will be protected—thanks in part to National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project. Led by Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala, the project is an ongoing effort to document and conserve what’s left of the planet’s least spoiled marine environments.

Big and Little Dipper
Photograph by Marco Mattiussi, National Geographic Your Shot

Fortunately for Your Shot member Marco Mattiussi, the bears on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula were busy eating salmon during the week he spent in a small wooden house in the wilderness frontier. “You had to be very careful,” he writes. “It’s a dangerous place to meet a grizzly because they’re not used to humans.”

To get this shot, Mattiussi spent several hours lying on the shore of Kurile Lake during the ascent of salmon. “The little bear seemed to enjoy holding its head under the water. Its mother was very protective. She didn’t lose sight of her cub for even a second.”

Stark Beauty
Photograph by Paul C. Glasser, National Geographic Your Shot

“It’s only after it has died and shed its needles that the stark beauty and grace of the whitebark pine’s sinuous, twisting limbs is revealed,” writes Paul C. Glasser, a member of our Your Shot community. The endangered conifer, hardy enough to withstand heavy snows and high winter winds, is found at high altitudes in western North America. Glasser captured this picture from the north side of Oregon’s Mount Hood. “The hills were bathed in smoke from the many fires burning across Oregon.”

Soldiering Through
Photograph by Joey Jdm, National Geographic Your Shot

Soldiers of the U.S. Army’s Fourth Stryker Brigade Combat Team return to their home duty station at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State after a nine-month tour in Afghanistan.

Your Shot contributor Joey Jdm, a member of the unit, had always wanted to take a photo from this angle inside a C-17 transport plane. “When I finally got the chance, I asked one of the crew if I could take some photos,” he writes. “I wasn’t a photographer for the unit—I just had my camera at the time and couldn’t resist capturing the moment of a lifetime.”

 

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Photograph by Michael Melford, National Geographic

Soaptree yuccas soak up morning light in southern New Mexico’s Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. President Barack Obama created this newest national monument in May. “I am not finished,” he said. “I’m searching for more opportunities.”

Stopover Flight
Photograph by John S., National Geographic Your Shot

Thousands of semipalmated sandpipers come in for a landing to feed on the shores of the Bay of Fundy before a long migratory leg to South America. Your Shot member John S. captured the sight during a holiday on the coast of New Brunswick, Canada, seizing the opportunity to shoot pictures for the Show Me Your Wilderness assignment.

“It took me two trips to the shoreline and a number of attempts to obtain the image I wanted,” he writes. “It was meant to emphasize the incredible number of birds, their sense of freedom, and the sheer power of nature.”

Rogue Weather
Photograph by Catie Prechtel, National Geographic Your Shot

“As the smoke from the Oregon Gulch Fire began rolling into the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon, I decided to get a closer look at the enormous pyrocumulonimbus cloud that was rapidly filling the sky,” writes Catie Prechtel, a member of our Your Shot community. “There were so many forms within the smoke-tinted cloud that it was difficult to pick a single area to photograph, but what repeatedly caught my attention was this curling curtain of cloud that appeared to be releasing sheets of precipitation. Using my telephoto lens, I was able to capture both the looming shape of the cloud and its eerie glow.”

Pooled Together
Photograph by Brian Skerry, National Geographic

Blacktip sharks, bluefin trevallies, and twinspot snappers (foreground)—ever watchful for a potential meal—throng a shallow passage into the lagoon of Millennium Island in the southern Line Islands, a pristine Pacific archipelago. Top predators like these are a defining feature of the world’s healthiest coral reefs.

A Grand Flyover
Photograph by Jassen T., National Geographic Your Shot

Sunrise at Yellowstone National Park finds steam rising from the surface of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the park’s largest hot spring. Your Shot member Jassen T. overcame high winds and turbulence to capture the view while piloting a plane at 11,000 feet. “This incredible place is not only remote, but flying over high terrain is dangerous,” he writes. “Trying to get the right angle without people on the walkway while trying to maintain the right altitude and attitude also made things complicated. While flying, I remember thinking to myself that I didn't want to leave. There are just not enough words to describe magic.”

Cold Encounter
Photograph by Nicolas Le Boulanger, National Geographic Your Shot

Hoarfrost settles on a moor along the border of Espace Rambouillet, a wildlife reserve near Paris, France, that’s home to deer like this stag and other wildlife. Having heard noises on the moor one day, Your Shot member Nicolas Le Boulanger returned early the following morning “to see the author of these sounds.” He had just arrived at the path when the deer appeared. “It literally jumped up in front of me as if to block access to its secret garden,” Le Boulanger writes. “We watched each other for five minutes, and I took hundreds of photos, but many of the others were missed due to the hoarfrost on the subject, my own shivers, and the rising morning mist that blurred the perspective.”

Tip of the Iguana
Photograph by Lorenzo Mittiga, National Geographic Your Shot

Not quite as threatening as some sea monsters, a spiny-backed iguana floats by photographer Lorenzo Mittiga in the Bonaire Caves of the Dutch Caribbean.

"There I was, fully equipped with my camera, its underwater housing, and a wide-angle lens, preparing for the final setting of the sun, when a friend interrupted my solitude," writes Mittiga, a member of our Your Shot community. “He had dived into the water above my head and was swimming around the entrance of the cave, as if to say 'hello' to me.”

Under the Hill
Photograph by Richard Barnes, National Geographic

The successors of Roman Emperor Nero largely buried his legacy from view. Beneath the Oppian Hill (at left) the remains of the palace—the Domus Aurea, or Golden House—built by and for Nero are closed to the public. By contrast, the Colosseum receives more than 10,000 visitors a day.

On the Rocks
Photograph by Matthieu Paley, National Geographic

Greenland's Inuit survived for generations eating almost nothing but meat in a landscape too harsh for most plants. Today markets offer more variety, but a taste for meat persists.

The 64 residents of the remote east Greenland village of Isortoq, pictured here, still hunt and fish but combine traditional Inuit foods with purchases from the supermarket, the large red building in the foreground. A favorite dish: seal dipped in ketchup and mayonnaise.

Hoop Dreams
Photograph by Aizuddin Saad, National Geographic Your Shot

A performer with Switzerland’s Swiss Dream Circus nimbly twirls hula hoops around her arms and legs. “In Malaysia, it’s really hard to see a circus show … without animals involved,” writes Your Shot member Aizuddin Saad. “When I heard that a group of circus performers was doing a show in Kuala Lumpur, I took a chance to document circus life.”