National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2013 - in pictures

Dig me river by Wagner Araujo – first place
I was in Manaus, Amazonas, during the Brazilian Aquathlon (swimming and running) championship. I photographed it from the water and my lens got completely wet, but there was so much energy in these boys that I just didn't worry about that Photograph: Wagner Araujo/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Thunderstorm at False Kiva, by Max Seigal – second place
I hiked out to these ruins at night hoping to photograph them with the Milky Way, but instead a thunderstorm rolled through, creating this dramatic image Photograph: Max Seigal/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Say cheese, by Yanai Bonneh – third place
Cheetahs jumped on the vehicle of tourists in Masai Mara national park, Kenya Photograph: Yanai Bonneh/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Lady in Water, by Marcelo Salvador – merit
A lady collects water in the river by a village in Bagan, Myanmar, 2013 Photograph: Marcelo Salvador/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

The TataHonda sect, by Gergely Lantai-Csont – merit
Inside an enclosed sect named TataHonda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ladies are preparing for their religious ceremony Photograph: Gergely Lantai-Csont/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Children of Reindeer, by Michelle Schantz – merit
Mikael Ande, a child of Sami reindeer herders, takes a break indoors after a long, cold day of rounding up the animals for vaccinations and slaughter. Children of reindeer herders learn to handle these animals and the land they thrive in from infancy – young Mikael here knew far more about the ways of nature than I could ever hope to learn Photograph: Michelle Schantz/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Sakura, by Hideyuki Katagiri – merit
Cherry blossom is called sakura in Japanese and is a symbolic flower in Japan Photograph: Hideyuki Katagiri/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Another perspective of the day, by Dody Kusuma – viewers' choice
Fisherman at Bira Beach, Indonesia Photograph: Dody Kusuma/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Guanjiang Shou, by Chan Kwok Hung – merit
Guanjiang Shou troupes are one of Taiwan's most popular activities that may be seen all over the country at traditional folk religion gatherings. With their fiercely painted faces, protruding fangs and powerful, choreographed performances, they are easily recognised – they may be described as underworld police or gods' bodyguards Photograph: Chan Kwok Hung /National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Portrait of an eastern screech owl, by Graham McGeorge – merit
The eastern screech owl is seen here doing what they do best. You better have a sharp eye to spot these little birds of prey Photograph: National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

Piano play at sunset, by Nikola Smernic – merit
The streets of Queenstown, New Zealand at the end of one more day filled with adrenaline. It's a calming and doleful scene Photograph: Nikola Smernic/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest