Amazing Aerial Highlights From The 2015 Nat Geo Traveler Photo Contest

A bird´s view of tulip fields near Voorhout in the Netherlands, photographed with a drone in April 2015. (© Anders Andersson / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

I was on a job in WA and had been doing a lot of aerial work whilst on a boat in the Kimberley. When I got back to the mainland I had been scheduled a joy flight out to the oyster farms and luckily scored the same pilot. Since we already knew each other, Guy suggested flying over a field that usually has wild horses. As we approached everything came together nicely, they ran wild through the marsh and I snapped away. Not my sharpest shot but this photo is everything I love about photography. (© Lauren Bath / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

During a Workshop I have taken an aerial photography trip capturing the River of Thjorsa largest river in Iceland via Aerial. (© Sean Ensch / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

Fog covered Cemoro Lawang when the sun rises through the mist of the morning. (© Achmad Sumawijaya / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

Aerial photo taken from a helicopter over Sydney Harbour, opera house and city. (© Stuart Chape / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

This wave is situated right near the CBD of Sydney. Some describe it as the most dangerous wave in Australia, due to it breaking on barnacle covered rocks only a few feet deep and only ten metres from the cliff face. If you fall off you could find yourself in a life and death situation. This photo was taken 300 feet directly above the wave from a helicopter, just as the surfer is pulling under the lip of the barrel. (© Ian Bird / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

Incredibly beautiful and extremely remote. Koehn Lake, Mojave Desert, California. Aerial Image. (© Jassen T. / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

Aerial photo of people swimming in a rock pool on the coastline near Sydney, Australia. (© Stuart Chape / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

Aerial view of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana), in the floodplain, Okavango Delta, Botswana. The Okavango Delta is home to a rich array of wildlife. Elephants, Cape buffalo, hippopotamus, impala, zebras, lechwe and wildebeest are just some of the large mammals can be found in abundance, drawing in predators such as lions, leopards, African wild dog, cheetah and crocodile. (© Gaston Piccinetti / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

A little treat to myself for working and studying hard, I booked a beautiful Hamilton Island adventure which took me to the Great Barrier Reef. Forever seeking the perfect shot I couldn’t resist seeing this beautiful natural wonder by air. My greatest wish is that we protect the reef from decay so that many generations to come will continue to marvel at its beauty. (© Ingrid Teda / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)