Photo of the Day: Best of January 2011

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Photograph by Amy Helene Johansson

A woman is riding between the railway carriages of a local train heading north from Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital. Her luggage is tucked under the carriage in front of her. It is the month of Ramadan, a fast that culminates in Eid-ul-Fitr, a three-day celebration. Tens of thousands of people leave the city to go to their home village and celebrate with their families. Trains are packed and many who fail to get tickets before they sell out or can’t afford buying them at the black market ride on the roof of the train or, like this woman, finds a quiet spot between the carriages.

(This photo and caption were submitted to the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest.)

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Timber Wolves

Photograph by Jacqueline Crivello, Your Shot

The secret behaviors of the timber wolves revealed in this photograph ascribe almost human attributes within the realm of affection and offerings of familial respect. We see activity pictured that normally stays well hidden from the human eye. It touches our heart and leaves us feeling as though a pet has just wandered through our mind leaving a lasting impression as less than fearless creature, but a caring and giving huggable friend. Yet their complexities we know exist.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

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Southern Masked Weaver

Photograph by Jiri Slama

It was a priceless opportunity to watch these amazing builders constructing their homes from the very beginning till the end, from the first framework made of a few grass leaves till the very last stalk had been implemented and all the salient parts smoothed to satisfy the female.

(This photo and caption were submitted to the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest.)

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Lake of Zug, Switzerland

Photograph by Ingo Meckmann, My Shot

A snow-covered dock at the Lake of Zug in central Switzerland right before sunrise

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot. Download wallpaper, solve puzzles, and more.)

Little Owl, Spain

Photograph by Andres Lopez, Your Shot

A little owl (Athene noctua) at dusk, a day in the warm summer of central Spain

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

Sanur Beach, Bali

Photograph by Tan Kiki Rustandar

Beautiful sunrise over Sanur Beach, Bali

(This photo and caption were submitted to the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest.)

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Port Orford, Oregon

Photograph by Randall Scholten, Your Shot

A quaint and cozy little seafood restaurant on the commercial dock in Port Orford, Oregon, is all decked out for the holidays in this photo taken at first light. Life in this small, rustic fishing village is frozen in the past when life was much less hectic and when the simple pleasures of life were still noticed and appreciated.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot. Have a great shot? Send it to us for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.)

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Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Photograph by Matthew Wynyard

During a magic trip driving round Iceland, it was raining a lot. After crossing over Snæfellsnes Peninsula, everything changed, and these amazing lenticular clouds appeared. After this photo I was followed by a rainbow for about half an hour. One very surreal day.

(This photo and caption were submitted to the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest.)

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Cotton Grass, Iceland

Photograph by Jennifer Jesse

This photograph was taken in July of 2010 while hiking in a region of Iceland called Landmannalaugar. People come to this area in order to see the colorful rhyolite mountains. During our trip we had come across small amounts of cotton grass along the roads, but I never expected to see such a huge field of it. This image represents what Iceland is all about. Just when you think the landscape can't surprise you anymore, something else even more amazing comes along.

(This photo and caption were submitted to the 2011 National Geographic Photography Contest.)