Everybody knows what the best thing about the end of the year is. It's easy. No, it's not Christmas presents. Or seeing family over the holidays. The best thing about the end of the year is National Geographic's Photo Contest. It's a tradition where we get to see just how awesome the world around us is.
These pictures aren't even official winners and they're stunning. National Geographic is going through their selection process but we've picked a few of our favorites from Nature, Places and People. Such amazing work.
The shot above was taken by photographer Hasan Baglar at Nicosia, Cyprus of two mantis, who look a lot like flamenco dancers. You can see more of the photographs from the photo contest at National Geographic and see some of the best shots, week by week, here.
Nature
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Photo by: Lorenzo Mittiga
Photo by: Colin Mackenzie
Photo by: Montse Grillo
Photo by: Istvan Kerekes
Photo by: Rick Loesche
Photo by: Henrik Nilsson
Places
Photo by: Takashi Nakagawa
Photo by: Hiroki Kondo
Photo by: Yusuke Sakai
Photo by: Cezary Filew
Photo by: Melih Sular
Photo by: Beverly Houwing
Photo by: Hiroshi Tanita
People
Photo by: Shao Hua Luo
Photo by: Brian Callaway
Photo by: Francisco Mingorance
Photo by: Hidenobu Suzuki