2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest Winners

Grand Prize: Whale Whisperers
Photo and caption by Anuar Patjane Floriuk / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contes

Diving with a humpback whale and her new born calf while they cruise around Roca Partida Island, in Revillagigedo, Mexico. This is an outstanding and unique place full of pelagic life so we need to accelerate the incorporation of this islands into UNESCO as natural heritage site in order to increase the protection of the islands against the prevailing ilegal fishing corporations and big game fishing.

Second Place: Gravel Workmen
Photo and caption by Faisal Azim / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Gravel crush working place remains full of dust and sand. Three gravel workmen are looking through the window glass at their working place.

Third Place: Camel Ardah
Photo and caption by Ahmed Al Toqi / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

(Camel Ardah) As it called in Oman, its one of the traditional styles of camel racing between two camels controlled by expert men, the faster camel is the loser one, so they must be running by the same speed level in the same track.

Merit: A Night at Deadvlei
Photo and caption by Beth McCarley / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

The night before returning to Windhoek, we spent several hours at Deadveli. The moon was bright enough to illuminate the sand dunes in the distance, but the skies were still dark enough to clearly see the milky way and magellanic clouds. Deadveli means “dead marsh.” The camelthorn trees are believed to be about 900 years old, but have not decomposed because the environment is so dry.

Merit: Catching a Duck
Photo and caption by Sarah Wouters / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

2 boys are trying to catch a duck at the stream of the waterfall.

Merit: Kushti, Indian Wrestling
Photo and caption by Alain Schroeder / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Kushti is the traditional form of Indian wrestling. Wearing only a well-adjusted loincloth (´†langot†ª), wrestlers or ´†Pelwhans†ª enter a pit made of clay, often mixed with salt, lemon and ghee (clarified butter). At the end of a workout, wrestlers rest against the walls of the arena covering their heads and bodies with earth to soak up any perspiration and avoid catching cold. This relaxation ceremony is completed with massages to soothe tired muscles and demonstrate mutual respect.

Merit: White Rhinos
Photo and caption by Stefane Berube / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

The night before this photo, we tried all day to get a good photo of the endangered white rhino. Skulking through the grass carefully trying to stay 30 feet away to be safe, didn’t provide me the photo I was hoping for. In the morning however, I woke up to all three rhinos grazing infront of me.

Merit: Sauna in the Sky
Photo and caption by Stefano Zardini / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

A sauna at 2.800 mt high, in the heart of Dolomites. Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina, eastern Italian Alps.

Merit: Highlanders
Photo and caption by Bartłomiej Jurecki / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Traditional haymaking in Poland. Many people continue to use the scythe and pitchfork to sort the hay.

Merit: Romania, Land of Fairy Tales
Photo and caption by Eduard Gutescu / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Whitefrost over Pestera village in Romania.