The 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is now accepting submissions. We’re looking for spectacular pictures that tell the story of animals, lands, and environments around the world. The deadline to enter is November 17 at 12 p.m. EST.

This photo was made in my hometown, called Thiersee, a small village in the heart of the Alps (Tyrol, Austria). I had to wait till the lake thiersee, which is frozen all the wintertime, begins to melt in spring.Just for a few days you can see these natural patterns in the melting ice. But not without a drone. So I told my daughter to make a boat trip with her red kayak. Till now nobody in my hometown tell me how the patterns grow. (Because nobody know that they exist). (Photo and caption by Stefan Thaler/National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest) Continue reading »