The 10 stunning winners from the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest

Alessandra Meniconzi / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest

• National Geographic announced the winners of its 2018 Travel Photographer of the Year contest.
• The winner was a photo of a humpback whale calf taken off the coast of Japan.
• Scroll down to see the other winners in the Nature, Cities and People categories.

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The winners of the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest have been announced — and they're as stunning as ever.

13,000 entries were competing for a $10,000 grand prize and international acclaim.

The overall winner was Reiko Takahashi of Japan whose photo subject was a humpback whale calf. Takahashi took her photo, titled "Mermaid," off the coast of Japan’s Kumejima Island.

"It was a special scene for me, to be able to take a photo of the calf, completely relaxed in gentle waters," said Takahashi. "I really cannot believe it. It was my dream to win. I am honored and it will be the driving force for my future shooting."

Entries were split into three categories: Nature, Cities and People.

Scroll down to see the first, second and third place winners in all categories — as well as one honorable mention.

Grand Prize Winner and First Place, Nature: 'Mermaid' by Reiko Takahashi.

Reiko Takahashi / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest

"I was fortunate to have encountered a humpback whale with her calf on my first day snorkeling near Japan’s Kumejima Island. Most of the time, the calf stayed close to her mom. At one point, the calf began jumping and tapping its tail on the water near us—it was very friendly and curious.

"Finally, the mother, who was watching nearby, came to pick up the calf and swim away. I fell in love completely with the calf and it’s very energetic, large and beautiful tail."

Second place, Nature: 'Flamingos Taking Of' by hao j.

hao j. / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest

"Thousands of flamingos are seen taking off from the colorful Lake Natron in Tanzania. Before taking off, flamingos need to take a short run on water to build up some speed. At that moment, their long, red legs create a series of water ripples on the surface of the lake.

"Looking down from the helicopter, these ripple lines look like giant aquatic plants flowing in the water. This photo was taken from a helicopter."

Third place, Nature: 'Mars' by Marco Grassi.

Marco Grassi / National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest

"These natural sand towers, capped with large stones, are known as the Earth Pyramids of Platten. They are situated in Northern Italy’s South Tyrol region. Formed centuries ago after several storms and landslides, these land formations look like a landscape from outer space and continuously change over the years and, more accurately, over seasons.

"This natural phenomenon is the result of a continuous alternation between periods of torrential rain and drought, which have caused the erosion of the terrain and the formation of these pinnacles. As the seasons change, the temperatures move between extremes and storms affect the area, pyramids disappear over time, while new pinnacles form as well."

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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