2010 Photo Contest #2 - Winners Gallery | National Geographic Expeditions

National Geographic Expeditions
Winners, 2010 Photo Contest #2

We received more than 650 entries in this contest. Take a look at the top three prize-winning photos and 18 other finalists below.

Philip Dien, Eden Prarie, MN
Expedition: Land of the Polar Bears

Prize: Trip for two to Antarctica on our Journey to Antarctica expedition

Hanging Out After a Swim — As we watched from our Zodiac, this polar bear gave her cub a lift as she swam across the fjord, shaking herself dry after emerging from the water with her cub hanging on. Polar bear cubs have been known to occasionally ride on the backs of their mothers as they swim together in Arctic waters, possibly to reduce exposure to cold.

Marlana Wheeland, Washington, DC
Expedition: Tanzania & Rwanda

Prize, Honorable Mention: $500 Credit toward a National Geographic Expedition

Little Dancer, Big Heart — This enthusiastic dancer was the center of attention. He was the youngest member on his Rwandan dance team, performing with the most energy and the biggest heart. It's written all over his face his appreciation for the audience as he shared his unique culture and spirit.

Eric Kruszewski, Richland, WA
Expedition: Alaska's Inside Passage

Prize, Honorable Mention: $500 Credit toward a National Geographic Expedition

Tranquility at Twilight — Alaska's long summer days afford travelers abundant time to enjoy its natural surroundings. At twilight aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, one passenger relishes a peaceful and solitary moment without the bustles of life.

Gallery of Winners and Finalists

The following images are presented in no particular order, with the exception of the first three prize-winning photos. Click on any thumbnail to launch the gallery and view the larger version, along with the captions written by the entrants.

As we watched from our Zodiac, this polar bear gave her cub a lift as she swam across the fjord, shaking herself dry after emerging from the water with her cub hanging on. Polar bear cubs have been known to occasionally ride on the backs of their mothers as they swim together in Arctic waters, possibly to reduce exposure to cold.

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Grand Prize Winner

This enthusiastic dancer was the center of attention. He was the youngest member on his Rwandan dance team, performing with the most energy and the biggest heart. It's written all over his face his appreciation for the audience as he shared his unique culture and spirit.

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Honorable Mention

Alaska's long summer days afford travelers abundant time to enjoy its natural surroundings. At twilight aboard the <i>National Geographic Sea Bird</i>, one passenger relishes a peaceful and solitary moment without the bustles of life.

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Honorable Mention

There is a blur of motion as thousands of kittiwakes leave the sea at once perhaps disturbed by the sound of calving ice from the nearby glacier.

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Finalist

Showing no fear, chinstrap penguins toddle over for a closer look at this strange woman laying in the snow, camera poised to take it all in.

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Finalist

<b>Atlantic Puffin Burrow</b><br />Springtime in a puffin colony is hectic, and the busy birds on Skellig Michael, Ireland, ignored me sitting in their midst for hours as they came and went, courted, and prepared their burrows for nesting.

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Finalist

A Tropicbird soars above the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Isla Española. The tail feathers add a striking visual effect to the flight pattern.

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Finalist

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Finalist

Cruising around Svalbard, we received an early morning wakeup call to see a curious polar bear. Whether he was walking on ice floes, swimming alongside the ship, or just standing still, this magnificent adult male polar bear wouldn't take his eyes off us. The feeling was mutual.

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Finalist

It is very exciting to see the big fauna of the Arctic like the polar bear and walrus, but being surrounded on our zodiac by hundreds of kittiwakes flying and diving in the dense fog, which was illuminated by the ever-present midnight sun of the Arctic summer was an experience I will never forget.

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Finalist

During the great migrations, some natural areas induce momentary confusion resulting in stampeding of the zebras and wildebeest in all directions. (This image was taken while panning with a low shutter speed.)

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Finalist

The lioness takes a moment to impart some schooling and order to her young cubs.

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Finalist

I meet a wonderful all women rowing team while on a National Geographic Photography Workshop with Catherine Karnow. While at our photo assignment at the Embarcadero Farmer's Market, I first asked to take a picture of a group of women while they had a cup of coffee and looked out on the bay, then they said I could take pictures of there boat and join them for a row around the bay. When I took this picture, the boat was moving fast, powered by these powerful women, and I occasionally felt drops of water on my arms that splashed from the oars. It was a wonderful amazing experience that I'll never forget.

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Finalist

At the colorful Sunday market in Pisac, Peru, this young girl in traditional dress is sitting patiently on the curb waiting for her mother to finish shopping.

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Finalist

This sea iguana was fresh out of the water trying to bring it's body temperature back up by warming in the sun.

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Finalist

I took a lot of photos in the Sahara but hadn't captured the mystery until I asked a traditional Berber for help to experiment with lighting, that I finally got it. We were a team, and instead of just being in my photo, he helped to create it.

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Finalist

Everyday early in the morning this aged man moves around the Jardin (Central Plaza) in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico chanting something in Spanish and then moves down towards Las Monjas church. It appears that everything has become yellowish in his life and he, overburdened with his frailing health, is moving towards total darkness.

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Finalist

Nothing is more Peruvian than the Lord of the Miracles. Each October, since the 18th Century, tens of thousands of Peruvians take part in this legendary religious procession in Lima. On this occasion, purple colored tunic clad Nazarene nuns lead the procession. Captured here is one of the senior nuns with the holy urn while another looks on.

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Finalist

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Finalist

Momma bear finally got fed up with our presence and decided to move her family. As they strolled away she appeared not to be worried about her two cubs, but she frequently looked back to check on them. The ice shelf, dotted with puddles is typical of what we saw as “The Land of the Polar Bears.”

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Finalist

A lone penguin stands motionless as he watches our boat slowly approach him.

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Finalist

Congratulations to all participating photographers for sharing such amazing images.
We look forward to seeing your submissions in next year's contest --
look for an announcement on our website in January.

Want to improve your photography skills? Learn tips and techniques from
one of our renowned photographers while exploring fascinating places on a
National Geographic Photography Workshop or Expedition.

If you'd like to learn more about our expeditions,
take a look at the full list of destinations
where we operate our expeditions.

OFFICIAL RULES

ENTRY FORM

PRIZE INFORMATION

PAST WINNERS

National Geographic Expeditions
Winners, 2010 Photo Contest #2

We received more than 650 entries in this contest. Take a look at the top three prize-winning photos and 18 other finalists below.

Philip Dien, Eden Prarie, MN
Expedition: Land of the Polar Bears

Marlana Wheeland, Washington, DC
Expedition: Tanzania & Rwanda

Eric Kruszewski, Richland, WA
Expedition: Alaska's Inside Passage

Gallery of Winners and Finalists

More Travel with National Geographic

OFFICIAL RULES

ENTRY FORM

PRIZE INFORMATION

PAST WINNERS

National Geographic ExpeditionsWinners, 2010 Photo Contest #2

We received more than 650 entries in this contest. Take a look at the top three prize-winning photos and 18 other finalists below.

Philip Dien, Eden Prarie, MN Expedition: Land of the Polar Bears

Marlana Wheeland, Washington, DC Expedition: Tanzania & Rwanda

Eric Kruszewski, Richland, WA Expedition: Alaska's Inside Passage

Gallery of Winners and Finalists

More Travel with National Geographic

National Geographic Expeditions
Winners, 2010 Photo Contest #2

Philip Dien, Eden Prarie, MN
Expedition: Land of the Polar Bears

Marlana Wheeland, Washington, DC
Expedition: Tanzania & Rwanda

Eric Kruszewski, Richland, WA
Expedition: Alaska's Inside Passage