Click image for some of the top nature photographs of 2013 at National Geographic
Congratulations to all the entries in this year's
National Geographic photo contest. The winning image, called "Proof" shown above, really caught the eye of readers, for
obvious reasons:
National Geographic’s online photography experience has announced the winners of the 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest. A stunning photograph of a polar bear peering up from beneath the melting sea ice on Hudson Bay as the setting midnight sun glows red from the smoke of distant fires has captured the grand prize. The photographer of “The Ice Bear” is Paul Souders of Seattle, Wash. He has won $10,000 (USD) and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2014.
- I just got back from DC and it was cold, too cold for this Texas boy anyway, hence today's wintery theme. But many thanks to all those who took time out of their busy DC days to discuss politics and science. And I did get a few hours, at long last, to wander around the Air & Space Museum with some fellow wonder junkies.
- You thought a melting Antarctic ice layer would be all bad? Think of the diamonds!
- I somehow missed that winter storms now have names. Nobody tells me anything. Plan for delays if you're traveling to or from the Northeast or Midwest this busy holiday weekend, as Gemini takes an icy bead on both regions.
- Last but certainly not least, happy winter north hemisphere residents, and happy summer to the rest of you. The Solstice will arrive in just a few hours. If only the solar system would cooperate: it ought to be on Saturday every year!