THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Nature Photographer of the Year contest is showcasing a selection of some of the incredible photographs already received.

The Nature Photographer of the Year contest kicked off on 15 August and is accepting entries until 16 November.

The “animal portraits” category for 2016 is showcasing the awe-inspiring and diverse natural world around us.

Here’s just a taste of what has been submitted so far, can you see a winner already?

Can you pick a winner? These incredible animal portraits are competing for National Geographic fame

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wait and see
Source: Hiroshi Tanita
Water Drops
Source: Takeshi Marumoto
Cape Buffalo with Yellow-billed oxpecker
Source: Barbara Fleming
Ocean guest
Source: Mike Korostelev
DAWN
Source: Picasa
Now You See Me
Source: Scott Dere
Breeding Display, Great White Egret
Source: Rosemary Brooks
Mother Ostrich
Source: Yu huiping
Dawn admiring in the frozen continent
Source: Vandeira C.
The path less trodden
Source: Harry Lyndon-Skeggs
NEVER bother Dad when he's sleeping
Source: Pam Kuhn
two plus four 7
Source: GUNTHER RIEHLE

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Source: Takeshi Marumoto" title="">
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Source: Scott Dere" title="">
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The 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is accepting entries in one or all of four categories: Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action and Animal Portraits.

The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions and two 15-minute image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors.

Read: ‘One of the worst infestations of Portuguese Man-of-War in over 100 years’>

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Can you pick a winner? These incredible animal portraits are competing for National Geographic fame

wait and see

Water Drops

Cape Buffalo with Yellow-billed oxpecker

Ocean guest

DAWN

Now You See Me

Breeding Display, Great White Egret

Mother Ostrich

Dawn admiring in the frozen continent

The path less trodden

NEVER bother Dad when he's sleeping

two plus four 7

Read: ‘One of the worst infestations of Portuguese Man-of-War in over 100 years’>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.