These are just some of the best nature photos of the year

The overall grand-prize winner will be chosen from the four category winners and will be announced in December

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IS inviting photographers to enter this year’s Nature Photographer of the Year contest.

The grand-prize winner will receive $10,000 (USD), publication in National Geographic Magazine and a feature on National Geographic’s Instagram account, @natgeo.

Eligible contestants can visit this website to submit photographs in any or all of four categories: wildlife, landscapes, underwater and aerials.

Here are some of the entries received so far.

A mother and a cub by Anat Gutman

a mother bear and a cub anat gutman anat gutman

A Thousand Birds by Jassen Todorov

A thousand birds Each year between the months of December-March, Northern California becomes the winter home to thousands of migratory birds (geese, egrets, ducks, herons and others). Jassen Todorov Jassen Todorov

Étirement by Joel Fischer

…tirement A lioness stretches into the immensity of Masai Mara, Kenya. Joel Fischer Joel Fischer

Enchanted by Felix Inden

enchanted A tidal pool at Lofoten islands in northern Norway acts as natural eye catcher. Felix Inden Felix Inden

Tadami Line by Teruo Araya

Tadami line is a JR East line that connects Fukushima prefecture and Niigata prefecture in Japan. Teruo Araya Teruo Araya

The overall grand-prize winner will be chosen from the four category winners and will be announced in December.

Read: Thinking of a getaway? Here are some of the ‘best autumn escapes’

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