Photo of the Day: Best of August 2010

Mahout and Elephant

Photograph by Cesare Naldi

Nazroo, a mahout (elephant driver), poses for a portrait while taking his elephant, Rajan, out for a swim at Radha Nagar Beach in Havelock, Andaman Islands.

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Fly Geyser, Nevada

Photograph by Stephen Oachs

The rising sun illuminates Black Rock Desert and the Fly Geyser, which sends a continuous stream of scalding, mineral-laden water sky-high.

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Endeavour Shuttle Launch

Photograph by Robert Garrett

A tail of smoke chases the space shuttle Endeavour as it lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on March 11, 2008.


See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Patten Pond, Maine

Photograph by Christine Guinness

"My daughter and her friend were flipping their hair, and I started taking photos and was delighted with the result. We are at the lovely Patten Pond in Maine in the summer of 2009."—Christine Guinness

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Lake of the Moon, India

Photograph by Dhurjati Chatterjee

The azure waters of Chandra Tal—Lake of the Moon—in Himachal Pradesh, India, reflect the vivid hues of a bright Himalayan day.

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Dwarf Minke Whale

Photograph by Steffen Binke

A dwarf minke whale cuts through the water, its many throat grooves clearly visible.

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Palouse, Washington

Photograph by Anil Sud

Sunrise lights up the verdant hills of Palouse, Washington, beneath the watchful gaze of a lone early bird.

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Lionfish

Photograph by Alex Tattersall

A venomous lionfish breaks into a huge ball of swirling baitfish.

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

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Rajasthan, India

Photograph by April Maciborka

"This portrait was taken in a city called Bundi in Rajasthan, India. This man shone in the setting sun, his skin glistening, his eyes vibrant and his turban matching the color of the old painted wall behind him. I just couldn't let the photographic opportunity pass me by."—April Maciborka

See more photos, see winners' galleries, download wallpaper, and solve puzzles from the 2009 International Photo Contest.

Find out how to enter the 2010 National Geographic Photo Contest »