Nuno Sá / Nature's Best Photography

Found in temperate and tropical waters, the blue shark is the most abundant and widely distributed open-water shark on the planet. It is also the world's most frequently caught open-water shark and a primary species supplying the shark fin trade. The removal of this important predator affects the entire oceanic ecosystem.

Photographer’s comments: “Diving into the blue, ten miles off the coast of Faial Island, I watched a torpedo-shaped shadow rapidly approach from deep, dark waters. As it came closer, its long pectoral fins gave it a form that reminded me of a jet plane; it was a six-foot-long blue shark.”

Photographic information: Canon EOS 7D; Tokina 10-17mm lens at 10mm lens; 1/250 seconds at ƒ/9; ISO 160; Ikelite DS 160 Strobes (2); Aquatica housing. See more photos at: www.photonunosa.com.

Each year “Nature’s Best Photography” magazine hosts the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition. Msnbc.com and and Nature’s Best are sharing some of the 2011 competition results with our readers here in PhotoBlog.

A print exhibition of the winning images and other entries will be displayed from March 30, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Competition overview: The Nature's Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards. See more in the "Enter Photos" section.

See some of the photos from the 2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• African Lion and Cub
• Polar bears in Manitoba, Canada
• Viine Snake in Choco, Colombia

See more of the photos from the 2010 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
• An osprey hits its prey
• A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Hummingbird faces off with a pit viper

Related content

• Today.com’s Animal Tracks slideshow

Lee Slabber / Nature's Best Photography

Lions in the Kalahari look and behave differently than those found in other African habitats. Lighter-colored fur helps them blend in with the desert environment, and they have to travel great distances in search of prey. The Kalahari lion may weigh about 100 pounds less than the typical 500-pound male found in more fertile areas, but its full mane makes it appear even more ferocious.

Photographer’s comments: “I had been following this pride in the Kalahari for a number of days, focusing on one youngster who was always causing trouble. In this image, his father had been trying to sleep. The cub kept climbing over the adult’s head until the lion growled to warn it to back off. In a moment of brave defiance, the youngster just glared back at his dad.”

Photographic information: Canon EOS-1D Mark III; 300mm ƒ/2.8 lens; 1/1600 seconds at ƒ/3.2; ISO 500; beanbag. See more photos at: www.wildlifephotosafaris.com

Each year “Nature’s Best Photography” magazine hosts the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition. Msnbc.com and and Nature’s Best are sharing some of the 2011 competition results with our readers here in PhotoBlog.

A print exhibition of the winning images and other entries will be displayed from March 30, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Competition overview: The Nature's Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards. See more in the "Enter Photos" section.

See some of the photos from the 2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Italy’s Dolomites National Park
• Polar bears in Manitoba, Canada
• Viine Snake in Choco, Colombia

See more of the photos from the 2010 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
• An osprey hits its prey
• A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Hummingbird faces off with a pit viper

Related content

• Today.com’s Animal Tracks slideshow

Samuel Bitton / Samuel Bitton

The Dolomites of northeastern Italy are renowned for the carbonate rock that creates the range's dramatic shapes and colors. UNESCO declared this area a Natural World heritage Site in 2009 to protect the landscape's geology, vegetation, fauna, and spectacular beauty.

Photographer’s comments: “Normally I shoot during early morning or sunset, but on the day I made this image there were interesting cloud patterns in the mid-afternoon. I loved the way the sun softly lit up some parts of the landscape and not others. The light on the foliage and mountains revealed the delicate subtleties of their color and texture—creating a moody, water-colored effect.”

Photographic information: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III; 24-105mm L IS lens at 35mm; 0.9 GND filter; 1/5 seconds at ƒ/16; ISO 50; Gitzo Mountaineer tripod; Acratech ballhead. See more photos at www.samuelbitton.com

Each year “Nature’s Best Photography” magazine hosts the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition. Msnbc.com and and Nature’s Best are sharing some of the 2011 competition results with our readers here in PhotoBlog.

A print exhibition of the winning images and other entries will be displayed from March 30, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Competition overview: The Nature's Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards. See more in the "Enter Photos" section.

See more of the photos from the 2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Polar bears in Manitoba, Canada
• Viine Snake in Choco, Colombia

See more of the photos from the 2010 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
• An osprey hits its prey
• A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Hummingbird faces off with a pit viper

Related content

Today.com’s Animal Tracks slideshow

Thomas D. Mangelsen / Nature's Best Photography

A polar bear family takes an afternoon nap cuddled up together in Manitoba, Canada.

Photographer’s comments: “After being woken up by its squirming, sleepy sibling, this polar bear cub is wide-awake and ready to play. Greeting the wintry world, he waves his soft paw from the warm haven of his mother’s arms.”

Photographic information: Nikon D3X; 600mm lens; 1/800 seconds at ƒ/14; tripod. See more photos at: www.mangelsen.com

Each year “Nature’s Best Photography” magazine hosts the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition. Msnbc.com and and Nature’s Best are sharing some of the 2011 competition results with our readers here in PhotoBlog.

A print exhibition of the winning images and other entries will be displayed from March 30, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Competition overview: The Nature's Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards. See more in the "Enter Photos" section.

See another photo from the 2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Viine Snake in Choco, Colombia

See more photos from the 2010 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
• An osprey hits its prey
• A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Hummingbird faces off with a pit viper

Related content

• Today.com’s Animal Tracks slideshow

Follow @msnbc_pictures

•Sign up for the msnbc.com Photos Newsletter

Robin Moore / Nature's Best Photography

Slender and arboreal, vine snakes can reach lengths of six-and-a-half feet and range in color from bright green to rusty brown. Slow moving, they depend upon camouflage for protection. Found in the jungles of Central and South America vine snakes blend with the thick vegetation, often appearing to be just another vine.

Photographer’s comments: “I was scrambling through bushes, wading up streams, and looking for anything scaly or slimy in one of the most bio-diverse forests in the world when we came across this vine snake. I was lying on my stomach to frame the shot when, as if on cue, a fly buzzed down and used the snake’s head as a landing pad. As soon as I clicked the shutter, the fly departed. Some photographs come about through careful and diligent planning, but this one was about being in the right place at the right time.” 

Photographic information: Canon 5D Mark II; 100mm ƒ/2.8 lens; UV filter; 1/200 seconds at ƒ/10; ISO 160; 580EX flash off-camera; Lumiquest softbox; hand-held. See more photos at www.robindmoore.com

Each year Nature’s Best Photography magazine hosts the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition. Msnbc.com and and Nature’s Best are sharing some of the 2011 competition results with our readers here in PhotoBlog.

A print exhibition of the winning images and other entries will be displayed from March 30, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Competition overview: The Nature's Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards. See more in the "Enter Photos" section.

Related content

• Today.com’s Animal Tracks slideshow

See some of the 2010 winners of the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition

• Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
• An osprey hits its prey
• A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Hummingbird faces off with a pit viper

Follow @msnbc_pictures

•Sign up for the msnbc.com Photos Newsletter

Peter Lik’s photograph of Antelope Canyon is today’s featured picture from Nature’s Best Photography. Click the related links below to see more amazing nature photography.

Peter Lik / Nature's Best Photography

Located near the border between Utah and northern Arizona, the tranquil Antelope Canyon is named for the herds of wild pronghorn that roamed the area long ago. Water running through the sandstone over the past millennia has sculpted graceful passageways, where shafts of light occasionally shine down from “slots” above.

Photographer Peter Lik said:
“The biggest lesson I have learned in photography is that timing is everything. No matter how perfect your technique and equipment, if you aren’t in the right place at the right time, you simply won’t get the shot. In the underground caves of Antelope Canyon, I knew the summer sun would pass directly overhead at midday. As my only opportunity for the shot approached, a narrow sliver of light beamed down through a keyhole onto the sandy canyon floor. At the precise moment I clicked the shutter, my Navajo Indian guide threw a handful of dust into the light. It wasn’t until weeks later, when I finally got to review the results of the shoot, that I was able to see the ghostlike human form that emerged."

Photographic information:
Camera: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II; 16-35mm lens; 1/4 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 100; Gitzo tripod.

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: An osprey hits its prey
• Nature's Best Photography: A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Nature's Best Photography: Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• Nature's Best Photography: The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• Nature's Best Photography: A hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
• Nature's Best Photography: African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.

Peter Cairns / Nature's Best Photography

Ospreys are a major European conservation success story. The species has recovered from its endangered status, breeding near fresh and salt waterways throughout much of the continent—a clear indication that conservation efforts work. During summer months, these raptors may be seen hunting over rivers, lakes, and estuaries before diving into the water—talons outstretched—to catch their prey. Their diet consists mostly of fish, but can include snakes, frogs, and other animals. The osprey, along with wildlife comeback stories like the crane, wolf, and bear, proves that even on crowded continents, nature can adapt and flourish.

Photographer Peter Cairns says:
“These efficient predators are expert hunters and seize their prey with lightning speed and precision. While photographing near Kangasala and Tampere, Finland on assignment for the Wild Wonders of Europe project, one of my goals was to document this behavior. After countless attempts, I was finally able to capture the moment as this adult osprey plunged into the water, creating a massive explosion of droplets. I managed just this one frame that featured the drama of the fish trying to escape.”

Photographic information:
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IIN; 300mm lens; 1/500 sec at ƒ/2.8; ISO 200; beanbag

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
• Nature's Best Photography: Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• Nature's Best Photography: The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• Nature's Best Photography: A hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
• Nature's Best Photography: African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.

Nature’s Best Photography’s Conservation Photographer of the Year for this year’s Windland Awards is Cristina Mittermeier. Cristina travels the globe as the President of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), a group that has become a force in furthering environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography.

Cristina Mittermeier / Nature's Best Photography

The land crab inhabits the Ambodihavibe Bay region in northern Madagascar.

Photographer Cristina Mittermeier said:
“This location in Madagascar is the site of a major protected marine area that was established with the help of Conservation International to study coastal marine ecosystems, because they potentially give us a low-cost option for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

Photographic information:
Camera: Sony DSLR-A900; focal length 16.0 mm; 1/500 sec at ƒ/9.0; ISO 250

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
• Nature's Best Photography: The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• Nature's Best Photography: A hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
• Nature's Best Photography: African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.

Here’s the next image in our presentation of the 2010 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards. The contrasting colors are beautiful.

Ben Hall / Nature's Best Photography

Chilling winds from Antarctica roar off the Southern Continental Icefield, causing these mountain passes to be frequently shrouded with dense clouds. Chilean flamingos inhabit the shallow lakes of South America, from the coast of central Peru south to the 14,000-foot altitudes of the Andes in Tierra del Fuego. These birds withstand fierce conditions en route to feeding grounds in the grasslands and saline lakes of Argentina. During flight the Chilean flamingos make loud, deep honking or howling sounds.

Photographer Ben Hall said:
“My reward after climbing high into Chilean Patagonia was this juxtaposition of pink flamingos against the severe hanging glaciers and soaring granite spires of the Horns of Paine. I wanted to photograph the high elevations at eye level, and the trek up into the mountains required a lot of planning and logistics to battle the elements. The Chilean flamingos had been feeding in a dry lakebed nearby when part of the flock took to the sky and circled overhead. I fired off a sequence of shots in an attempt to show the relationship between the birds and their spectacular, wild habitat. My favorite image came as the birds passed an area of spiked mountain peaks against the menacing, stormy sky, with a glacier visible in the distance.”

Photographic information:
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II; 100-400mm L IS lens; 1/2000 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 160; hand-held.

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• Nature's Best Photography: A hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
• Nature's Best Photography: African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.

I’ve seen some underwater movie footage of similar situations, but this is one of the first times I’ve seen this successfully captured as a still image.

Clark Little / Nature's Best Photography

Matching artistic composition with dramatic force, the lip of a wave pushes toward the photographer and creates a large, hollow air pocket called the “tube,” seen running the length of the photo parallel to the sand bottom. Because the wave continues to move forward, even after it breaks, the tube is forced to spin and follow the wave’s momentum. As the tube rotates, water and air are pulled along into this spin cycle. Even for those accustomed to wave photography, some explanation is needed to understand exactly what is going on in this image: A breaking wave is just a few feet in front of the lens. Beyond the wave is the deep ocean. The beach is behind the photographer.

Photographer Clark Little said:
“A half-second after this shot was made; the wave hit me straight on, knocking the camera out of my hand and pulling me into the spinning mass of air and water. I enjoy the power and beauty of the thick bombs that roll through and can usually capture some of those moments without getting slammed. Well, most of the time.”

Photographic information:
Camera: Nikon D3 in a custom underwater housing; 10.5mm fisheye lens; 1/1000 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 200; hand-held.

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: A hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
• Nature's Best Photography: African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.

Here is another picture in our presentation of Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards. See related links at the bottom of this post.

Ingrid Vekemans / Nature's Best Photography

The largest living land mammal, the elephant is one of Africa’s most important keystone species. Years ago, poaching and the ivory trade were the biggest threats to their survival. Fortunately, ivory bans, hunting regulations, and protected areas help safeguard elephants. Today, there is a different challenge -- habitat loss and land use. Elephants roam vast territories across borders and outside of protected areas. While the overall population has shrunk to half of what it was 40 years ago, some regions of Africa have more elephants than populated areas can support.

Photographer Ingrid Vekemans said:
“While observing elephants in Tsavo (eastern Kenya),  I was focused on an older female—the matriarch of the group. Her raised head and spread ears show that she was alert and watchful. The photographic challenge here was to capture the moment of eye contact in a sharp close-up before she moved on. Because her skin was so dark, I turned the ISO up to increase the shutter speed. This portrait symbolizes the elephant’s strength and the solidarity of the clan.”

Photographic information:
Camera: Nikon D300; AF-S VR 300mm ƒ/2.8 lens; 1/640 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 400; beanbag

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: A hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
• Nature's Best Photography: The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.

We will be featuring images from Nature’s Best Photography magazine over the next few days in PhotoBlog. The pictures are the winning entries from the magazine’s 2010 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards. More than 20,000 pictures were submitted by photographers from 56 countries.

A print exhibition of winning images and other entries will be displayed from April 16 to Sept. 25, 2011, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Bence Mate / Natures Best Photography

Tiny, vibrantly colored hummingbirds are a favorite among wildlife lovers. Of 338 known species, roughly 50 types of these birds live or breed in the tropical lowlands and cloud forests of Costa Rica, where arboreal vipers also live amid the thick foliage.

Photographer Bence Máté said:
"I was photographing hummingbirds when I heard the sharp, alarming noise of the birds reacting to the presence of a predator. Sixty feet away from me this green-crowned brilliant was fearlessly attacking a small viper. The long shutter speed and shallow depth of field made it difficult to make an image with both animals sharp. This encounter was one of the most interesting ones I had ever seen, and I quickly set up two flashes to increase the light and shutter speed, using one flash fired from the background and another from the camera.”

Photographic information:
Camera: Nikon D700; 300mm ƒ/2.8 lens; 1/100 sec at ƒ/4; ISO 200; Canon 540EZ flash; Canon 550EX slave; Gitzo carbon tripod; Gitzo fluid head.

Related links:

• Nature's Best Photography: The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
• Nature's Best Photography: African elephant on alert in Kenya
• Nature's Best Photography tag stream
• Click here to see more from Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
• Click here to see more animal pictures in our "Animal Tracks" slideshow.