2012 NatGeo Photo Contest winners

National Geographic has announced their winners from the 2012 National Geographic Photo Contest. More than 22,000 entries were submitted from over 150 countries, with professional photographers and amateur photo enthusiasts across the globe participating.

Honorable Mention: Red Fox catching mouse under snow
With his exceptional hearing a red fox has targeted a mouse hidden under 2 feet of crusted snow. Springing high in the air he breaks through the crusted spring snow with his nose and his body is completely vertical as he grabs the mouse under the snow. (Photo and caption by Micheal Eastman/National Geographic Photo Contest)...




Honorable Mention: Stilt Fishing
Stilt fishing is a typical fishing technique only seen in Sri Lanka. The fishermen sit on a cross bar called a petta tied to a vertical pole planted into the coral reef. This long exposure shot shows how unstable their position is. (Photo and caption by Ulrich Lambert/National Geographic Photo Contest


 
Honorable Mention: Ursus arctos horribilis
This photo of a wild, Alaskan, brown bear digging on a game trail was taken with a home made motion controlled triggering device hooked up to my DSLR. (Photo and caption by Jason Ching/National Geographic Photo Contest)



Honorable Mention: Predation up close and personal
I was surrounded by thousands of fish that moved in synchrony because of the predation that was happening. It was an incredible experience. (Photo and caption by Fransisca Harlijanto/National Geographic Photo Contest)



Honorable Mention: Captive
Yayasan Galuh Rehabilitation Center is and impoverished mental health facility based in Bekasi, Indonesia that hosts over 250 patients. Most come from poor families no longer interested in managing their condition, or are unable. Some patients are homeless, deposited after being taken off streets by police. The only medical treatment received is for skin conditions. No assessments, psychotherapy or psychiatric medications is available. Over one third of the patients are shackled in chains. These measures are implemented to those thought to be violent, uncontrollable and dangerous. (Photo and caption by Wendell Phillips/National Geographic Photo Contest)



Viewers’ Choice for Nature: Tender Moment
Everyday in Mara starts with something new and different and day ends with memorable experiences with spectacular photographs. I was very lucky of sighting and photographing Malaika the name of female Cheetah and her cub. She is well known for its habit to jump on vehicles. She learned that from her mother Kike, and Kike from her mother Amber. Like her mother she is teaching lessons to her cub. Teaching lessons means addition of another moment for tourist. This is one of the tender moments between Malaika and her cub. I was very lucky to capture that moment. (Photo and caption by Sanjeev Bhor/National Geographic Photo Contest)



First Place for People: Amongst the Scavengers
At the end of the day women are allowed to pick through the dumpsite. (Photo and caption by Micah Albert/National Geographic Photo Contest)




First Place for Places: The Matterhorn
The Matterhorn 4478 m at full moon. (Photo and caption by Nenad Saljic/National Geographic Photo Contest)



Grand-Prize: The Explosion!
The subject's name is Busaba, a well cared for Indochinese Tigress whose home is at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand. I had taken many portraits of Busaba previously and it was becoming more and more difficult to come up with an image that appeared any different to the others. Which is why I took to observing her more carefully during my visits in the hope of capturing something of a behavioural shot. The opportunity finally presented itself while watching Busaba enjoying her private pool then shaking herself dry. In all humility I have to say that Mother Nature smiled favourably on me that day! (Photo and caption by Ashley Vincent/National Geographic Photo Contest)