Each year for the past 24, National Georgraphic Traveler hosts a photographic contest. The 12,000 entries in 2012 come from 152 countries. I confess, I did not look at all 12,000, but these are some of my favorites. Just as you would expect from National Geographic , the quality of the images is extraordinary. Here’s a link if you want wander through them yourself.
![ng, Pacific Northwest Black Wolf, the mudflats off Meares Island in Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on west coast of Vancouver Island in a sea kayak. Sander Jain](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ng-Pacific-Northwest-Black-Wolf-the-mudflats-off-Meares-Island-in-Clayoquot-Sound-UNESCO-Biosphere-Reserve-on-west-coast-of-Vancouver-Island-in-a-sea-kayak.-Sander-Jain.jpg)
Pacific Northwest Black Wolf off Meares Island in Clayoquot Sound on W. coast of Vancouver Island, Canada by Sander Jain.
![ng, see 12 yr. old,](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ng-see-12-yr.-old.jpg)
Luzmila, 12 years old, carries to her house the barley that she harvested by herself in a rural village in the Andes Mountains called Sotopampa, in Peru. Once a year, they harvest the barley and then they consume it during the following year. In these communities of indigenous peoples, children work helping their families. It is very hard for the government to maintain a balance between child labor laws and the ancient traditions of these populations that include some difficult tasks for kids. By Alejandro Kirchuk
![ng, see mushrooms](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ng-see-mushrooms.jpg)
Filoboletus Manipularis is a fungus which naturally produces a faint eerie glow in the night by a natural process known as bioluminescence, shown in this 3-minute long exposure of these elusive little mushrooms. © Zong Ye Quek
![NG, SEE glacial cave by Mark Meyer](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/NG-SEE-glacial-cave-by-Mark-Meyer.jpg)
Glacial Cave: Hikers under the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska. When conditions are right, streams melt holes into the glacier. At times they are large and stable enough for exploration. The ice filters out most colors of light except for the blue wavelengths leaving a stunning blue glowing from the ice above. © Mark Meyer
![ng, see rolling coals](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ng-see-rolling-coals.jpg)
Rolling Coals: I went on a kayaking camping trip on a remote lake in NW Ontario, DeCourcey Lake. When it was time to put the fire out, my friend began kicking the coals down the rocky slope to the water below. I ran down to the waters edge to catch the motion of the burning coals. Little comets streaming to the lake to be extinguished with a hiss. © Christopher Merkley
![ng, Sunset Cloud Village , Red Land, China. . The reddish brown soil turns redder after rainfall and after farmers plow the land. Peng Jiang](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ng-Sunset-Cloud-Village-Red-Land-China.-.-The-reddish-brown-soil-turns-redder-after-rainfall-and-after-farmers-plow-the-land.-Peng-Jiang.jpg)
Sunset Cloud Village , Red Land, China. . The reddish brown soil turns redder after rainfall and after farmers plow the land. Peng Jiang
![ng, Xiapu, China. Fishermen farm fish, shrimp, and oysters and plant seaweed along this coast area. Peng Jiang](http://www.duskyswondersite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ng-Xiapu-China.-Fishermen-farm-fish-shrimp-and-oysters-and-plant-seaweed-along-this-coast-area.-Peng-Jiang.jpg)
Xiapu, China. Fishermen farm fish, shrimp, and oysters and plant seaweed along this coast area. Peng Jiang
Many thanks to Karen W. for getting me started on this contest.
These are some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. Thank you for sending this on, Dusky…
Wow…
Stunning as usual, Dusky. Thanks again for sharing.
One can not fault N.G. and dusky for the best photographs from the best of the photographers from around the world. Thanks for sharing.
I really enjoy your beautiful websites. Thanks for sharing!
Carolyn