Best Photos of the Week (05 - 11 Dec) by National Geographic

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Traditionally, in our regular weekly column from National Geographic the most interesting, original, incredible photographs from all over the world are presented. Today's selection contains the best shots from 05 to 11 December.

05 december

Those people who are sure that during the African safari they will be left alone with the wild nature will have to moderate their ardor a little. You can never predict how the journey will turn out. What if you rush to meet not only animals, but also representatives of extraterrestrial civilizations? Or at least see a UFO? Even in the form of an amazingly shaped snow-white cloud hanging alone in the blue sky … Photographer Dmitry Gorilovsky managed to capture this stunning sight in one of the most picturesque places in South Africa, the private Aquila Game Reserve, not far from Cape Town.

06 december

The brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, which left terrible memories for both civilians and those who fought, took lives of some, and those who survived - limbs and other body parts. Many thousands of amputees have become living symbols of this war, including the footballer featured in Johnny Vong's photograph. Having lost his arm as a very young boy, today he is the goalkeeper of the national amputee football team in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

07 december

The amazingly rhythmic geometry of the streets of New York, captured from a bird's eye view, makes you feel incredibly small compared to the huge metropolis. Tiny figures of people disappear at metro stations, yellow specks of city taxis scurry along the roads like hardworking ants, and this sight is incredibly calming and pacifying. Even when looking at a still photograph.

08 december

Gelada monkeys, which are called close relatives of baboons, belong to a rare species of primates and are listed in the Red Book. They live exclusively on the mountain plateaus of Ethiopia, in particular in the Semien Mountains, and live in groups, both single and mixed. If the new male wants to gain power over the "harem", that is, a mixed group, he needs to defeat and expel the old male. Just the new leader of the "harem", resting after the struggle, was captured by photographer Clay Wilton.

09 december

Hot air ballooning is one of the most popular attractions in Cappadocia. Needless to say, many only go to Turkey for this, because balloon flights in Cappadocia are made 12 months a year. Photographer Amy Sacka watched through the lens of her camera as the pilot of one of the balloons prepares his vehicle for the upcoming trip.

December 10

Fragile, almost transparent and therefore invisible on the seashore, a lonely leaf nevertheless attracted the attention of photographer Alycia Bromar. This photo is another confirmation that you don't need to travel far or fly high to get brilliant shots. It is enough just to look around more often, not forgetting to look at your feet.

December 11th

One of the most interesting sights of the Greek city of Nafplio is the ancient Bourdzi castle. This castle, or rather a fortified fort, is located on a small island in the Gulf of Nafplion, not far from ancient Akronafplia. It was he who was photographed by Macy Ong, making overview pictures of the surroundings of Nafplion. This town and the fort on the island are a popular destination for many tourists. There is a hotel and a restaurant on the territory of Fort Burdzi, and you can get to the island by boat - in good weather, many local residents offer tourists this simple service.