Swimming Suit

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

National Geographic's top photos of the week

Mt. Etna erupted for the first time in the new year. As the cloud of smoke rose into the sky, the sun was also rising behind me, painting beautiful, vibrant colors on the smoke cloud, almost giving an illusion of fire in the sky. I created this HDR image by shooting three different exposures. It seemed to be the only way I could capture the colors I was seeing.
Photo and caption courtesy Joshua Yurche/National Geographic

Beautiful sunny morning in National Park Celaquein, Honduras
Photo and caption courtesy Eva Liskova/National Geographic

Forest in early winter, near the Danube River, in Vojvodina, Serbia
Photo and caption courtesy Boris Bajcetic/National Geographic

Diran Peak is neighbor of Rakaposhi. Since opening of Karakoram Highway it has become increasingly popular due to its easy approach from the road. Though its lower part has an easy climb, it has not had a big success rate due to serious climbing requirements. It was first attempted by the Matthias Rebitsch Expedition via the Southern Route in 1954.
Photo and caption courtesy Mudesar Ahmed/National Geographic

One of the native species that can be found on the archipelago of Antarctica is the leopard seal. They can measure from 2 to 3.6 meters and weigh 600 kilos.
Photo and caption courtesy Fernanda Pateo/National Geographic

I was looking to capture interesting texture images. This duck had just come to the surface of the pond after a dive. The green algae in the water added a nice extra splash of color
Photo and caption courtesy Andrea Mazzotta/National Geographic

After waiting over two hours for any decent light in the biting cold on Christmas day, I got in the car to return home. About 5 minutes later I thought, let's not give up just yet. I turned around and could see an opening in the clouds coming. Just one. I ran to the beach, set up, and the opening passed in the perfect place to reveal the sun on the pier, in South Haven, Michigan, USA.
Photo and caption courtesy Timothy Wenzel/National Geographic

Leopard
Photo and caption courtesy Goran Anastasovski/National Geographic

Tiny Gandhis break world record

485 young boys flooded the streets of Kolkata, India on Jan. 29 in honor of the 64th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death, the largest number ever. Underprivileged Indian children dressed in costume to look like the late leader broke the world record this year.

Credit: Associated Press Photo By Bikas Das

One of the largest cut emeralds in the world

Floran Lacerte kisses the world's largest emerald while lifting it at Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 26, 2012. The 57,500 carat emerald, named "Teodora", which weighs 11.5 kg (25.35 lb) was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The stone will be publicly auctioned this weekend.

People hold the world's largest emerald at Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 26, 2012. The 57,500 carat emerald, named "Teodora", which weighs 11.5 kg (25.35 lb) was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The stone will be publicly auctioned this weekend.

A worker polishes the world's largest emerald at Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 26, 2012. The 57,500 carat emerald, named "Teodora", which weighs 11.5 kg (25.35 lb) was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The stone will be publicly auctioned this weekend

Regan Reaney, owner of the the world's largest emerald looks over the gem at the Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 26, 2012. The 57,500 carat emerald, named "Teodora", which weighs 11.5 kg (25.35 lb) was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The stone will be publicly auctioned this weekend.

A security guard and local residents look at the world's largest emerald at Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 26, 2012. The 57,500 carat emerald, named "Teodora", which weighs 11.5 kg (25.35 lb) was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The stone will be publicly auctioned this weekend.

Auctioneer Mike Odenbach (R) calls out the bids as one of the largest cut emerald's in the world is put up for sale at the Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 28, 2012. The 57,500 carat gem called Teodora was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The emerald received no bids as it opened at $500,000

Local residents look at one of the largest cut emeralds up for sale at the Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 28, 2012. The 57,500 carat gem called Teodora was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The emerald received no bids as it opened at $500,000

A local resident looks at one of the largest cut emeralds up for sale at the Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 28, 2012. The 57,500 carat gem called Teodora was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The emerald received no bids as it opened at $500,000

Auctioneer Mike Odenbach (R) calls out the bids as one of the largest cut emeralds in the world is put up for sale at the Western Star Auction House in Kelowna, British Columbia January 28, 2012. The 57,500 carat gem called Teodora was mined in Brazil and cut in India. The emerald received no bids as it opened at $500,000.
Credit : REUTERS/Andy Clark (CANADA)