1. Butterfly and RhododendronPhoto: Julia Baverstock This beautiful rare butterfly was on a rhododendron bush in my grandfather’s garden, Dartmoor, Devon.

    Butterfly and Rhododendron
    Photo: Julia Baverstock

    This beautiful rare butterfly was on a rhododendron bush in my grandfather’s garden, Dartmoor, Devon.

     


  2. Las Pozas, MexicoPhoto: Diane Cook and Len Jenshel When a freak freeze killed the orchid collection on his Mexican estate, English eccentric Edward James created Las Pozas, a garden with surreal follies like the concrete Bamboo Palace - durable and immune to the vagaries of weather.

    Las Pozas, Mexico
    Photo: Diane Cook and Len Jenshel

    When a freak freeze killed the orchid collection on his Mexican estate, English eccentric Edward James created Las Pozas, a garden with surreal follies like the concrete Bamboo Palace - durable and immune to the vagaries of weather.

     


  3. Owl and Mouse, MinnesotaPhoto: Tom Samuelson Great gray owls come south from Canada into Minnesota during the winter to find food. This owl was on the north shore of Lake Superior, just south of Two Harbors, Minnesota. We happened to find him as the sun was setting, and in the evening light, we were able to be in a position to see an owl that was hunting when a mouse came out, and the owl was quick to pounce and pick up an evening meal.

    Owl and Mouse, Minnesota
    Photo: Tom Samuelson

    Great gray owls come south from Canada into Minnesota during the winter to find food. This owl was on the north shore of Lake Superior, just south of Two Harbors, Minnesota. We happened to find him as the sun was setting, and in the evening light, we were able to be in a position to see an owl that was hunting when a mouse came out, and the owl was quick to pounce and pick up an evening meal.

     


  4. Milky Way, New ZealandPhoto: Stefan Mutch This was taken on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, New Zealand. I was hoping to capture some aurora activity. There was no aurora that night, but there was high humidity, so the light from the city was reflected over the entire sky, even though we were well away from the city. Instead of the usual gold or orange glow, the sky took on a red hue that was clearly visible to the naked eye.

    Milky Way, New Zealand
    Photo: Stefan Mutch

    This was taken on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, New Zealand. I was hoping to capture some aurora activity. There was no aurora that night, but there was high humidity, so the light from the city was reflected over the entire sky, even though we were well away from the city. Instead of the usual gold or orange glow, the sky took on a red hue that was clearly visible to the naked eye.

     


  5. Winter, SwedenPhoto: Pierric Descamps Shot taken on a winter morning in the Swedish countryside.

    Winter, Sweden
    Photo: Pierric Descamps

    Shot taken on a winter morning in the Swedish countryside.

     


  6. Swans, PraguePhoto: Jaromir Chalabala Swans on the Vltava River in Prague.

    Swans, Prague
    Photo: Jaromir Chalabala

    Swans on the Vltava River in Prague.

     


  7. Manta Ray and Snorkeler, AustraliaPhoto: Violeta Jahnel A snorkeler appreciates the beauty of a giant manta ray in Ningaloo Reef, off Australia’s west coast.

    Manta Ray and Snorkeler, Australia
    Photo: Violeta Jahnel

    A snorkeler appreciates the beauty of a giant manta ray in Ningaloo Reef, off Australia’s west coast.

     


  8. Trees in SnowPhoto: John Lucic The wind was blowing at 90 kilometers (56 miles) an hour. Snow was traveling horizontally and hitting the trees face on. It left a nice imprint on them.

    Trees in Snow
    Photo: John Lucic

    The wind was blowing at 90 kilometers (56 miles) an hour. Snow was traveling horizontally and hitting the trees face on. It left a nice imprint on them.

     


  9. Kykuit Gardens, New York The gardens of Kykuit, at the Rockefeller estate in Sleepy Hollow, New York, were planned for day or night display. A row of lindens leads to the perfection of the Temple of Aphrodite.

    Kykuit Gardens, New York

    The gardens of Kykuit, at the Rockefeller estate in Sleepy Hollow, New York, were planned for day or night display. A row of lindens leads to the perfection of the Temple of Aphrodite.

     


  10. Trees in Fog, GermanyPhoto: Angelika Himburg “David versus Goliath.” This photo was taken on a foggy morning in January. The sun began to rise and hid behind the big trees. The little tree stands like a dwarf next to it. Salzatal, Germany.

    Trees in Fog, Germany
    Photo: Angelika Himburg

    “David versus Goliath.” This photo was taken on a foggy morning in January. The sun began to rise and hid behind the big trees. The little tree stands like a dwarf next to it. Salzatal, Germany.