Winners of the 2013 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

First Place Winner: Dig Me River

It’s finally time to announce the winners of the 2013 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest! Out of more than 15,500 entries, this year’s first place winner is Wagner Araujo for this energetic black and white shot of the Brazilian Aquathlon (swimming and running) championship. As Aruajo stated about that moment, “I photographed it from the water and my lens got completely wet

Second Place Winner: Thunderstorm at False Kiva I hiked out to these ruins at night hoping to photograph them with the Milky Way, but instead a thunderstorm rolled through, creating this dramatic image. Photo and caption by Max Seigal/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Third Place Winner: Say Cheese Cheetahs jumped on the vehicle of tourists in Masai Mara national park, Kenya. Photo and caption by Yanai Bonneh/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: The TataHonda Sect. The photographer could get inside of an enclosed sect named Tatahonda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ladies are preparing for their religious ceremony. Photo and caption by Gergely Lantai-Csont/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: Sakura Cherry blossom is called Sakura in Japanese.Cherry blossom is Japanese symbolic flower.There are various kinds in a cherry tree and an especially old cherry tree has many kinds called Edo-Higan. The trees of the cherry tree exceeding hundreds of years are located in a line with a nebula this temple, and if spring comes every year, can looks at a powerful spectacle can do it. This photograph focused on Edo-Higan and photographed Beni-Sidare which is back together. Photo and caption by Hideyuki Katagiri/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: Children of Reindeer Mikael Ánde, a child of Sámi reindeer herders, takes a break indoors after a long, cold day of rounding up the animals for vaccinations and slaughter. Children of reindeer herders learn to handle these animals and the land they thrive in from infancy – young Mikael here knew far more about the ways of nature than I could ever hope to learn. Photo and caption by Michelle Schantz/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: Piano Play at Sunset Streets of Queenstown, New Zealand at the end of one more day filled with adrenaline. Calming and doleful scene with piano sound in the background. Photo and caption by Nikola Smernic/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: Portrait of an Eastern Screech Owl Masters of disguise. The Eastern Screech Owl is seen here doing what they do best. You better have a sharp eye to spot these little birds of prey. Photo and caption by Graham McGeorge/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: Guanjiang Shou Guanjiang Shou troupes are one of Taiwan most popular activities that may be seen all over Taiwan at traditional folk religion gatherings. With their fiercely painted faces, protruding fangs and powerful, choreographed performances, they are easily recognized, They may be described as underworld police or gods’ bodyguards. Photo and caption by Chan Kwok Hung/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Merit: Lady in Water A lady collects water in the river by a village in Bagan, Myanmar, 2013. Photo and caption by Marcelo Salvador/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Viewers Choice: Another Perspective of the Day The fisherman at Bira Beach. Photo and caption by Dody Kusuma/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest