Nature: category shortlist

Exclusive: National Geographic Traveller (UK)'s photography competitionPresenting the stunning winning images and shortlist of the magazine's first UK travel photo contest. Poorna Shettyeditor, MSN Travel2012-02-02T14:36:462012-02-09T09:40:23true160435539Wanderlust's travel photos of the yearGallery160195855Incredible ice sculptures Gallery160157955World's craziest swimsGallery160063116World's quirkiest buildingsGallery160019917World's most ridiculously expensive adventures Gallery159731871Unfinished monumentsGalleryNature: category shortlistPresenting the winners and shortlist for the magazine's first ever photography competition. Adrian Wray, Oxfordshire"We waited for hours for the wildebeest in Kenya's Maasai Mara to cross the river. Suddenly, one decided to go, then another, then another. Snorting, mooing, splashing, the noise was incredible and the dust became a cloud that swept through the trees. A crocodile toyed with the odd calf, but was so bloated it didn't bother to kill. And a few minutes later, it was all over."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Nature: category shortlistAlex Abbott, Leeds"The picture was taken in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India, and shows a nomadic cow grazing in the forest."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Nature: category shortlistMark Bridger, West Malling"I was greeted with this red stag and golden light at Richmond Park, London, when I took this. It always amazes me that in the middle of the capital there are wild deer roaming free."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Nature: category shortlistPaul Wynn, Oxfordshire"Shot on the Luangwa River, South Luangwa, Zambia, I wanted to capture the lazy ambience of this 'hippo pool' and concentrated on photographing some of the snoozing hippos - and just got lucky with the oxpecker!"topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Nature: category shortlistPeter Gordon, East Lothian"Despite training on skis at Bear Lake, Alaska, with 56lb Bergens on our backs - to set up snow holes and observation areas - it was hard to miss the beauty of the aurora borealis."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Nature: category shortlistRollo Sparkes, Cambridgeshire"I was taking part in a baseline survey on the effects of climate change on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, when I took this image of a red-eyed tree frog and was amazed with the results."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Nature: category winnerJesus del Toro Garcia, London"Is there anything more beautiful than seeing two animals in love? The horses were caught while on the beach in Essaouira, Morocco. I didn't have much time to compose or play with the settings, although post-production allowed some cropping where diagonals meet the 'hotspots'."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2City: category shortlistHelen Grace Ventura Thompson, Aylesbury"The reflection of the West Side Story sign on the steps of the 'Tkts' booth in Times Square, New York. I saw the reflection on the steps and just as I took the picture, someone ran up the stairs."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2City: category shortlistTom Jenkins, Swansea"Grand Central Station, New York."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2City: category winnerNick Board, ReadingIn Nick's words: "This photograph was taken as dusk approached in the frantic streets of Ho Chi Minh City. With estimates ranging from two to four million motorbikes in the city - no one really seems to know - and a less than perfect public transport network, the streets soon become packed with traffic."Judge Carol Enquist says: "I like the composition of the image, with the crumbling pavement in the foreground. The pavement reflects decay that contrasts sharply with the bustling traffic, colourful neon, and modern construction of the city. The contrast is heightened by the lovely evening sky."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Culture: category shortlistStefania Vryoni, London"I took this when I was in Komotini, Greece, of three elders praying and celebrating the birth of Muhammed."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Culture: category shortlistHannah Merceica, London"Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and is deeply ingrained in Thai culture. Here is Kamron Bunsi from Thailand, striking a blow to the face of Chuluunbaatar Shilirerdene from Mongolia in the 60kg men's WMF World Title Fight."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Culture: category winnerAndrew Cheek, Hatfield"While visiting the Shwezigo Pagoda in Burma, I noticed two monks outside the monastery walls sweeping leaves. As the older monk swept, the dust lifted and filled the air, which in turn created this amazing lighting effect from the setting sun."Judge Marina Syrmakezi said: "Rarely does one find an image that so effortlessly expresses the warmth and solitude of those precious 'in-between' moments when travelling. It is the unrehearsed stillness and tranquillity that is so poetically captured in his image."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Landscape: category shortlistGrzegorz Kaczmarek, Ireland"Although the wreck of Sunbeam, on Rossbeigh Strand in County Kerry, Ireland, has been there for over 100 years, I had to wait a couple of months after spotting it before capturing the perfect shot."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Landscape: category shortlistJon Philpott, Oxfordshire"I found an old trampers' hut while trekking in New Zealand and captured this stunning view of Mount Cook through the window."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Landscape: category winnerMartyn Ferry, Oxfordshire"I took this image of Manarola in La Spezia, Italy, during late afternoon when the light was softer - it highlights the various colours of the houses, which are a defining feature of these villages."Judge Jonathan Briggs said: "It's a really pleasing treatment that creates focus in a busy scene with so many textures and forms. You know that Martyn knew exactly what he was setting out to achieve."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2People: category shortlistIan Stafford, Tyne and Wear"I knew immediately upon seeing this woman smoking in Hue, Vietnam, that I had to capture her. I pre-set the camera and turned quickly to take the picture without fuss. She knew all along, though - she turned to me and smiled, saying, "Ceeeegar good."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2People: category shortlistJim Shannon, London"I met this boy during India's Holi Festival, famous for the coloured powder people throw at each other - hence his yellow face. I thought he looked great with his stuck-on moustache, so was really pleased when he asked me to photograph him."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2People: category shortlistRichard Clarke, Bristol"Releasing a lantern on Koh Tao, Thailand, with travelling friends after we'd passed our PADI Advanced Diving Course."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2People: category winnerSanjay Gupta, Hull"This Maasai tribesman in Kenya explained to me that much of the land, previously available to the Maasai's herds of cattle, had been set aside for wildlife and conservation projects, making it very difficult for the Maasai to maintain their way of life. I think his expression perfectly demonstrates his resilience in the face of adversity."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Adventure: category shortlistEllie Percival, London"Snowboarding in Penrith, Cumbria."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Adventure: category shortlistTerry Richer, Sutton"A family adventure took us to Mount Sinai, in Egypt, at sunrise, accompanied by a host of walkers and camel riders."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Adventure: category winnerSamantha Crimmin, East Sussex"Star trails above South Georgia. The camera was set up and left going for 170 consecutive 30-second exposures." Judge Carol Enquist says: "Samantha took an interesting scene of camping in the snow in beautiful surroundings and made it even better by accommodating the light in the tent and adding the star trails to the overall composition."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2Overall winnerJoanna Harper, HampshireJoanne Harper's 'The Boy who likes to Swim' pipped all the other contenders to become the first winner of National Geographic Traveller (UK)'s photography competition."The decision was based not only on the fact it captures a beautifully intimate moment, but also because it's technically fantastic," said National Geographic Traveller's art editor, Chris Hudson. In her own words, Harper says: "The street boys had just been swimming in the sea in Kalk Bay, Cape Town. One particular boy's face was dripping wet. I approached them and started joking with them and playing games. They then saw I had a camera and proceeded to say 'Shoot me, shoot me'. The boy at the forefront of the image was the most confident: he was throwing himself at me and loved the camera. He had the most beautiful eyes and face."topThis field has been disabled for Gallery V2