Wonders from the Sky: 12 Best Photos from the Drone Photography Competition (14 photos)

The organizers of the international Drone Photography Contest, held for the fifth time with the support of the photo service Dronestagram and National Geographic magazine, have announced the winners of the year.

The jury reviewed over 4,000 entries from photographers from 101 countries, many of whom are known to the organizers only by their online handles. However, this doesn't stop them from delighting their audiences with incredible aerial shots.







Bathers

A photo of hippos taking a mud bath in a Tanzanian national park, taken by user Zekedrone, won first place in the competition.

Sleep Nets

A photo by Trang Pham from Vietnam took second place. Nothing special is happening in this mesmerizing photo—just a Vietnamese fisherman casting his net into the sea.



Walk

This photo by Ukrainian photographer Qliebin, taken on the seashore in Odessa, took third place in the competition.



Weather Snake

This collage of a winding road was captured by photographer Ovi Di Pop, who won the Abstract category.



Family

This photo by South African photographer Luke Maximo Bell was taken near Cape Town. The photographer captured a family of southern right whales—a mother and calf.



Sunny Circle

This photo by Maxim Tarasov captures a sunset in the Icelandic mountains.

Blacktip shark.

An active predator that hunts schooling fish. This photo, taken by Adam Barker, won the Wildlife category.



Lobster Fishermen

Another photo by Trang Pham from Vietnam: this is what the numerous lobster traps set by residents of the coastal province of Phu Yen look like from above.



Clash of the Elements

Photographer Jay Galambra from East Timor took this photo where a turbulent mountain river flows into the ocean.



Ice Magic

Another winner in the Abstract Category. Photo by Martin Meknarowski



Rooftops of Singapore

This original aerial shot of Singapore, taken by Macbook Boy, was awarded a Special Jury Commendation.



Inhabitant of the Snowy Desert

This photo of a polar bear was taken in Greenland by French photographer Florian Ledoux.

"Polar bears are becoming refugees due to climate change," warns Ledoux. "The sea is not only a hunting ground for them, but also a place where they can find refuge between hunts."



Angel

Photographer Luis Alonso Jiménez Silva won the competition in the Sports category.