Here Are the Winners ofNational Geographic‘s Traveler Photo Contest

This year , over 18,000 photographs were submitted to National Geographic ’s one-year Traveler Photo Contest . These ten are the very good .

First Place: Whale Whisperers

Photographer : Anuar Patjane

Diving with a humpback whale and her new-sprung calfskin while they cruise around Roca Partida … in the Revillagigedo [ Islands ] , Mexico . This is an outstanding and alone position full of pelagic life , so we call for to accelerate the internalization of the islands into UNESCO as [ a ] natural heritage site in purchase order to increase the protection of the islands against the prevailing illegal fishing potbelly and expectant - secret plan sportfishing .

Second Place: Gravel Workmen

lensman : Faisal Azim

[ This ] gravel - crush working topographic point persist full of detritus and sand . Three gravel workmen are looking through the windowpane glass at their work position . Chittagong , Bangladesh .

Third Place: Camel Ardah

Photographer : Ahmed Al Toqui

Camel Ardah , as it [ is ] called in Oman , is one of the traditional vogue of camel racing … between two camels controlled by expert men . The truehearted camel is the also-ran … so they must be running [ at ] the same speed level in the same rail . The main purpose of Ardah is to show the knockout and strength of the Arabian camels and the rider ’ skills . Ardah [ is ] considered one of the most risky situation , since always the camel reactions are irregular [ and ] it may get raging and jumpstart [ toward the ] audience .

Merit Winner: Sauna in the Sky

lensman : Stefano Zardini

A sweat room at 2,800 time high in the center of Dolomites . Monte Lagazuoi , Cortina , eastern Italian Alps .

Merit Winner: Romania, Land of Fairy Tales

Photographer : Eduard Gutescu

Romania , land of fairy story . ashen frost over Pestera village .

Merit Winner: A Night at Deadvlei

lensman : Beth McCarley

The night before returning to Windhoek , we spent several 60 minutes at Deadvlei . The lunar month was bright enough to illuminate the sand dunes in the aloofness , but the sky were still gloomy enough to clearly see the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds . Deadvlei means “ all in marsh . ” The camelthorn trees are believe to be about 900 old age older but have not decomposed because the surround is so dry .

Merit Winner: The Power of Few

Photographer : Stefane Berube

The Nox before this photo , we try all day to get a salutary picture of the endangered lily-white rhino . skulk through the green goddess cautiously , trying to stay 30 foot away to be good , did n’t render me the photo I was hope for . In the sunup , however , I come alive up to all three rhinos grazing in front of me . Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary , Uganda .

Merit Winner: Kushti, Indian Wrestling

lensman : Alain Schroeder

Kushti is the traditional form of Indian wrestling . Wearing only a well - adjusted breechcloth ( langot ) , matman ( pelwhans ) enter a nether region made of clay , often mixed with Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , Citrus limon , and ghee ( clarified butter ) . At the end of a workout , wrestlers reside against the walls of the arena , enshroud their heads and torso with dry land to douse up any sweating and forefend catching cold . This relaxation ceremony is dispatch with massage to solace tired brawn and demonstrate mutual respect .