Curious gulls on Sanibel Island, Florida

National Geographic’s International Photography Contest attracts thousands of entries from photographers of all skill levels around the world every year. While this year’s entry deadline has passed, there is still time to view and vote for your favorites in the Viewer’s Choice competition. (Pics)

 

Collected below are  images from the three categories of People, Places and Nature. Captions were written by the individual photographers.

The Darvaza natural gas crater is located in the center of the Karakum Desert in the central Asian country of Turkmenistan. The crater resulted after a Soviet natural gas exploration accident in the 1950s and has been burning ever since.

Nazroo, a mahout (elephant driver), poses for a portrait while taking his elephant, Rajan, out for a swim in front of Radha Nagar Beach in Havelock, Andaman Islands.

 

When the wave conditions are right a wave appears, infrequently, as a result of the splash back off the cliff connecting with an incoming wave.

This picture was taken during the Rinjani volcano trek on Lombok Island in Indonesia at sunrise.

 

An example of photo luminescence in coral in West Papua

 

Subway tunnel between Pudong and the Bund

Iguazu falls, Brazil

On a prairie near Chicago, Illinois

 

Wild Goose scenic overlook on St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana

One hour of firefly activity in rural Ontario

Two male hippos battling for dominance on the Sabie River, Kruger National Park

Andrew and his friend, a young sperm whale named Scar, were swimming together off the west coast of Dominica

David Hanson crosses a fallen log beneath soaring trees and a lingering fog in Washington’s Olympic National Park

Kwena Croc Farm in South Africa

Cary stands on a deserted road in Central Ohio, at sunset

Via boston.com