Photographer’s comments: “After being woken up by its squirming, sleepy sibling, this polar bear cub is wide-awake and ready to play. Greeting the wintry world, he waves his soft paw from the warm haven of his mother’s arms.”
Photographic information: Nikon D3X; 600mm lens; 1/800 seconds at ƒ/14; tripod. See more photos at: www.mangelsen.com
Each year “Nature’s Best Photography” magazine hosts the Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition. Msnbc.com and and Nature’s Best are sharing some of the 2011 competition results with our readers here in PhotoBlog.
A print exhibition of the winning images and other entries will be displayed from March 30, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Competition overview: The Nature's Best Photography concept began with simple yet dynamic goals: to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards program evolved from this ambitious mission to become one of the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world. More than 25,000 entries are received and judged each year in the International Awards. See more in the "Enter Photos" section.
See another photo from the 2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition
See more photos from the 2010 Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition
- Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
- An osprey hits its prey
- A crab takes a defensive stance in Madagascar
- Flamingos fly past the Paine Mountains in Chile
- The view from inside a Hawaiian wave
- African elephant on alert in Kenya
- Hummingbird faces off with a pit viper
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