21 stunning, award-winning photos that will make you fall in love with the world

“A large white shark hunts in the waters of Guadalupe Island, Mexico.”

"The polar bear wandering on ice looking at the ice melting."

"Squeezing through one of the incredibly narrow slot canyons in Escalante National Monument. Taken on a week-long expedition through the deserts of southern Utah."

"A plastic bag in its natural habitat, the ocean. Plastic was once worshiped, now it destroys everything we love. Nature connects us all, we have a duty to protect her."

"We were on our Chronicles of Namibia workshop, wrapping up a wonderful evening of shooting in the Sossusvlei area. On the drive back to camp, this most simple composition caught my eye. I couldn't resist and stopped the group to get this shot."

"Colima volcano erupting during the night showing its strength. Volcanic eruptions in small quantities help reduce global warming."

This ice could be thousands of years old, and only recently broke off the Vatnajokull Glacier at Jokulsarlon Bay in Iceland, and will soon melt into the sea."

"Victoria Falls is the seventh wonder of the world. Carved into the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, what better place for two nationalities to meet, and be awed by the never ending thunder of the water 100 meters below."

"Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall in Iceland, January 2018. The places that are hardest to get to are often the best and most peaceful."

"The eeriness of exploring this ghost town in the United Arab Emirates went away after an hour or so of exploring. But I still felt uneasy about entering some of these 'homes.' It felt like I was trespassing, so I tried being oddly respectful. The Arabian Desert obviously didn't feel the same way, reminding me that nature will always reclaim what we abandon."

"A tiny fungi knat sheltering inside the canopy of a toadstool."

"On the Kīlauea Lava Flow in Kalapana, lava hits the ocean, creating an explosion of molten basalt rocks and acidic steam plumes skyward. When hot lava vaporizes cool sea water, it blasts lava rock fragments every direction and creates a billowing cloud of 'lava haze' made up of a mixture of acidic seawater steam, hydrochloric acid, and tiny shards of volcanic glass."

"A model holding the ribs of a dry leaf. Nature is a generous Mother."

"Lion Rock is a symbol of Hong Kong. Many Hong Kong people, including me, grow up under the mountain. It represents the spirit of Hong Kong people."

"One of the most unique experiences of the world in the lowest point on Earth. We belong to nature and not the reverse. Without the nature we do not live, but without us it lives."

"Sunrise in Vama Veche, Romania."

"Lagoon with many alligators in the Northern Pantanal, Poconé region. Late afternoon left the scene a bluish color."

"Down at the mud puddles on our road, we found several young bullfrogs hopping around. Up on our hilltop, wet spots are few and far between, so our mud puddles are home to a constant flow of tadpoles, frogs and toads. My daughter loves all critters, her goal is to create a wildlife rehab center someday. She constantly inspires me with her care towards every living thing."