National geographic photo contest

National Geographic has become synonymous with the best photography, with the magazine always showcasing the outstanding beauty and wonder of our planet. So naturally, their annual photo contest is a prestigious and hotly-contested event, with judges having thousands of breathtaking images to narrow down, to find the eventual winners.

The year did not disappoint for incredible photos of the awesome power of nature and glimpses into the human spirit. Take a look at some of the very best.

Pictures can say many things which can hardly be expressed even by using hundreds of words. the emotions hidden inside a photo is so pure and they

Steam rises off a boy after his holy bath in Nepal's Khaptad National Park in this National Geographic Your Shot Photo of the Day.

On my recent trip to Lake Kerkini, Greece, I got up close and personal with the globally threatened Dalmatian Pelicans. Being the largest of the Pelicans in the world, these birds are amazing to photograph, especially during winter when their breeding reddish/orange colors brighten up the shot

This sneak peek also includes a superb aerial shot of Manhattan and an osprey captured speeding through the air with a freshly caught fish.

See the winners of National Geographic's 2017 travel photo contest

Lonely tree in the desert

Each February, the sunset hits the right angle over yosemite valley to light up horsetail falls, resulting in a spectacular effect looking something like a lava-flow. we were fortunate enough to see this event two years ago during a clear break in an otherwise rainy day.

National Geographic's annual Photo Contest is under way, which means it's once again time to see some of the best travel photos that both amateur and professional photographers around the world have to offer. All of the entries (the good and the bad) can currently be viewed on Nat Geo's website, and they're still taking submissions!