Photo of the Day: Best of February 2012

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Gray Wolf, Washington

Photograph by Mukul Soman, Your Shot

A gray wolf rests at Wolf Haven International, a wolf sanctuary in Washington State.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

Whale Shark, New Guinea

Photograph by Michael Aw

"Suddenly he just jumped in!" says photographer Michael Aw. Sarmin Tangadji, the Papua police officer who escorted the photographic team to where the sharks congregate, "was so excited to see them up close." Aw shares that excitement when it comes to diving with a dozen whale sharks: "You are sandwiched in, sharks ahead and behind, but you want to be there," he says. "They make eye contact with you and then charge by. It blows your mind."

See more pictures from the October 2011 feature story "Sharing With Sharks."

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Cows, India

Photograph by Mariajoseph Johnbasco, Your Shot

I shot this calf on the road in 2011 on the eve of Diwali at Neyveli, which is my hometown. Due to crackers going off everywhere, the cows couldn’t rest near homes so they sought the middle of the road for rest. The fog, noise, and the backlighting of the streetlight made me take this picture.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

Lion Pride, Serengeti

Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic

A pride of lions behaves naturally for the camera—a remote-controlled car outfitted with still and video cameras to capture the lions at ground level. The equipment was field tested by photographer Michael "Nick" Nichols while on assignment for National Geographic magazine.

See more pictures from Michael "Nick" Nichols's Project: Serengeti Lions, part of an ongoing series documenting the work of photographers in the field.

National Geographic editor's note: We have received several comments from our readers asking about the radio collar on the female lion at the left of the frame. All of the lions Nichols photographed are part of a long-term study being conducted by the Lion Research Center at the University of Minnesota. The lions were collared for the research project, not to facilitate photography. To learn more about the project, visit www.lionresearch.org.

Snowy Owl

Photograph by James Galletto, My Shot

This snowy owl was captured during a snowstorm. Unlike most owls, which are nocturnal, snowy owls are diurnal—they hunt and are active both day and night.

(This photo was submitted to My Shot.)

Gaucho, Patagonia

Photograph by Jasmine Rossi, Your Shot

This picture was taken at Estancia El Condor, a ranch in southern Patagonia, near the border of Chile. A lonely gaucho surveys his land.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

Canadian Lynx, Yukon Territory

Photograph by Nicolas Dory, Your Shot

A Canadian lynx is seen in the Ogilvie Mountains (Yukon Territory, Canada) last winter. I followed fresh wolf tracks, north of Tombstone, before I found this lynx enjoying the sunset. I spent three hours with the feline, watching him resting, stretching, and hunting snowshoe hares in the snow.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

Giraffes, Kenya

Photograph by Diego Arroyo, Your Shot

Giraffes are pictured at dawn in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

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Elephant Trio, Namibia

Photograph by Susan McConnell, Your Shot

Two adult elephants and a baby are at a water hole in Etosha National Park in Namibia. The adults appear to be in heated conversation, but the conflict is resolved quickly and peacefully.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)