National Geographic has just announced the winners of its 2016 Travel Photographer of the Year Contest. The grand prize-winner, “Winter Horseman” won a seven-day polar bear safari for two at Churchill Wild-Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. The winning photo, selected from thousands of entries, depicts a Mongolian horseman showing off his amazing riding skills.
The photograph was taken by Anthony Lau of Hong King after an early morning hike in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. “The snow was getting heavier, the wind was getting stronger, the morning snow was getting thinner and the light was moving away from its optimal position,” Lau told National Geographic. “I knew I only had a couple of shots to get the best out of this encounter. With a bit of luck, one of my final attempts managed to capture the moment when one of the riders charged out from the morning mist along with his horses.”


















Image artifacts (diffraction spikes and vertical streaks) appearing in a CCD image of a major solar flare due to the excess incident radiation

Ladder leads out of darkness.Photo credit
Woman's reflection in shadow.Photo credit
Young woman frazzled.Photo credit 
A woman looks out on the waterCanva
A couple sits in uncomfortable silenceCanva
Gif of woman saying "I won't be bound to any man." via
Woman working late at nightCanva
Gif of woman saying "Happy. Independent. Feminine." via 
Yonaguni Monument, as seen from the south of the formation. 
