Frost flowers formed on thin sea ice when the atmosphere is much colder than the underlying ice, Greenland, Denmark, Polar Regions

Frost flowers formed on thin sea ice when the atmosphere is much colder than the underlying ice, Greenland, Denmark, Polar Regions

Some much needed rain falls in the distance at sunset in NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namib Desert, Namibia, Africa

Frost flowers formed on thin sea ice when the atmosphere is much colder than the underlying ice, Greenland, Denmark, Polar Regions

Phra That Phanom, a much venerated stupa in Nakorn Phanom, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Snorkelers swim above a blue hole on Palau's barrier reef. This hole formed when sea level was much lower than it is today.

A large roughtail stingray (Dasyatis centroura) rests on the seafloor near Turneffe Atoll, Belize. This species is found throughout much of the Atlantic near reefs.

Rocky shore of Watson Lake which has lost much water due to the drought, the gray rock was originally submerged, Arizona, United States of America, North America

Rocky lagoon in Watson Lake along Lakeshore Trail, gray rock shows how much water volume was lost due to the drought, Arizona, United States of America, North America

The wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), a large antelope found over much of the Kafue National Park, Zambia, Africa

View of Oyama Shrine Shinmon Gate illuminated at dusk, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Honshu, Japan

The wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), a large antelope found over much of the Kafue National Park, Zambia, Africa

Some much needed rain falls in the distance at dusk in NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namib Desert, Namibia, Africa

Some much needed rain falls in the distance at dusk in NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namib Desert, Namibia, Africa

The Villa Vignamaggio, used in film Much Ado About Nothing, a wine producer whose wines were the first to be called Chianti, near Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

The Villa Vignamaggio, used in film Much Ado About Nothing, a wine producer whose wines were the first to be called Chianti, near Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Statue of Simon Bolivar, liberator of much of South America, Garachico, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

The Villa Vignamaggio, used in film Much Ado About Nothing, a wine producer whose wines were the first to be called Chianti, near Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

The Villa Vignamaggio, used in film Much Ado About Nothing, a wine producer whose wines were the first to be called Chianti, near Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

The Villa Vignamaggio, used in film Much Ado About Nothing, a wine producer whose wines were the first to be called Chianti, near Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

The Villa Vignamaggio, used in film Much Ado About Nothing, a wine producer whose wines were the first to be called Chianti, near Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Guildhall and church, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Wenlock Priory and topiary, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Indonesia laboratory testing drinking water. Photograph taken in meulaboh, aceh province -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devastated much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour. terchnician : every house well gets tested. Unicef originally helped up to support other ngos in area, helps staff salaries provides us with equipment. coordinates activities with local government. water in local wells is quite contaminated, especially with arsenic, as well as nitrates, nitrites, iron, manganese fluoride. water became salinated after tsunami. We test here both water from shallow deep wells

Indonesia mother child built in banda aceh by. Baby receiving immunization shot. Photograph taken in banda aceh, -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devasted much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Indonesia a kindergarten in banda aceh which lost many of children to tsunami, been rebuilt. schools director halimah anwar bustam (seen here in foreground) describes horrors suffered: area kids came from completely flattened by waves. On that fateful sunday children were in their homes, or many were already on beach having. So many died that morning. It devastating. Only we getting things back together, very grateful to helping with reconstruction of damaged building. staff give up a portion of their (already) salaries to sponsor poor children from outlying villages to come to school. structure includes offices staff, a library, prayer room wheelchair accessible classroom.__ Photograph taken in banda aceh, -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devasted much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Indonesia mother child built in banda aceh by. Photograph taken in banda aceh, -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devasted much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Indonesia growth monitoring (baby weighing) at a posyandu, or mother-child temporary health post in village of paya lumpat. Photograph taken in meulaboh, aceh province -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devastated much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Shafts of sunlight highlight the smoke from the King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

A fire danger sign next to forest that has been burnt by a fire in the Tule river area of the Sequoia National Forest, east of Porterville, California, USA. California is in the grip of a four year long exceptional drought, that has made wild fires much more frequent, as well as wiping $2.2 Billion annually off the agricultural sector.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Burnt ground from a wildfire near Bakersfield, California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. Wild fires are much more common due to the drought. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Forest destroyed by wild fires in the Tule river area of the Sequoia National Forest, east of Porterville, California, USA. California is in the grip of a four year long exceptional drought, that has made wild fires much more frequent, as well as wiping $2.2 Billion annually off the agricultural sector.

Foscheck fire retardent dropped on a wild fire near Hawkins Peak above coleville in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Foscheck fire retardent dropped on a wild fire near Hawkins Peak above coleville in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

The King Fire that burned 97,717 acres of the El Dorado National Forest in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

A wild fire near Hawkins Peak above coleville in California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, wild fires are much more common. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Indonesia growth monitoring (baby weighing) at a posyandu, or mother-child temporary health post in village of paya lumpat. Photograph taken in meulaboh, aceh province -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devastated much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

Indonesia muslim girls at a koranic -school in banda aceh. Photograph taken in banda aceh, -december 2006, 2 years after tsunami of december 26th 2004 devasted much of coastal region. Taken to illustrate reconstruction work projects of (catholic relief services) of sponsored photo tour

A forest that has been burnt by a wildfire in the Tule river area of the Sequoia National Forest, east of Porterville, California, USA. California is in the grip of a four year long exceptional drought, that has made wild fires much more frequent, as well as wiping $2.2 Billion annually off the agricultural sector.

CAMBODIA HIV+ couple making handicrafts. Toul Sambo village is a resettlement area outside of Phnom Penh. Set in rural tranquility surrounded by paddy fields, it is a peaceful place for its residents. A Caritas Cambodia project, it has two focus groups who live there. One group is largely HIV+ and used to reside in a Phnom Penh slum called Borey Kila, until they were evicted by the government who wanted to develop the land for offices and shopping malls. The other group consists of those made homeless when a river's bank subsided in their village, destroying their homes. At the home of Kea Nimal and Kem Sokhorn, both HIV+. They are very industrious working at home making paper bags and ornaments, some with recyclable materials. They can earn $12-$15 per 5-day working week, and live quite comfortably in their attractive home with TV, motor-cycle and other conveniences. They say they are much better off than in the crowded and unhealth slum of Borey Kila in Phnom Penh where they used to live. They get regular orders for the handicrafts they make. They stay healthy by taking ARVs, which are supplied free of charge by the Hope Organization. PHOTO by Sean Sprague

An IDP camp (internally displaced people) in Te-Tugu district of Northern Uganda has been created to accommodate the mass of Ugandan refugees fleeing the LRA (Lords Resistance Army) who are fighting the Ugandan government and its people. Although heavily reliant on aid, they are encouraged to produce much of their own food. Te-Tugu, Uganda, East Africa

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) breaching, extremely rare unusual image. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: This Blue Whale was engaging in courting/fighting behaviour with another Blue Whale. Both animals were moving much faster than normal, chasing each other, & breaching repeatedly.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) breaching, extremely rare unusual image. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: This Blue Whale was engaging in courting/fighting behaviour with another Blue Whale. Both animals were moving much faster than normal, chasing each other, & breaching repeatedly.

South polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) on snow, much lighter plumage cf to Brown skua, Ross Sea, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) breaching, extremely rare unusual image. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: This Blue Whale was engaging in courting/fighting behaviour with another Blue Whale. Both animals were moving much faster than normal, chasing each other, & breaching repeatedly.

Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) eating Greater spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The otter took only the innards of the dogfish by opening a short section of skin behind the pectoral fin (see images under 'Greater spotted dogfish'). The rest of the fish, still alive, was left on the shore and never retrieved. Perhaps the tough shark skin and battling fish are too much work when other food is plentiful? Hebrides, Scotland

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)wild adult, keeping warm in a hot spring. Honshu Japan. Status:least concern but 1/10 of the pop is killed by humans evey year. more info: They spend much of the winter swimming,diving or just contemplating life in the warm water.

Staple housing for many of the residents of Kigali, these basic huts have no running water or electricity and communities like this cover much of the Kigali Urban sprawl. Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa

South polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) chick about to fledge, will have much lighter plumage cf to Brown skua, Ross Sea, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) purple/pink member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

The Horizon Building, 11 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf is a retro styled High rise very much in-keeping with the designs of 1960's social housing. . London, England, UK

Adult gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) leaping into the Zodiac, much to the surprise of a Lindblad staff member, in Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay, Antarctica

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) purple/pink member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Adult gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) leaping into the Zodiac, much to the surprise of a Lindblad staff member, in Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay, Antarctica

Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) mother and cub. Cubs often have darker fur than their mothers and for the first few months are much more 'buoyant' in the water. Hebrides, Scotland

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) yellow member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) purple/pink member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Inshore Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, Stenella attenuata graffmani, surfacing, Costa Rica, Pacific Ocean. This subspecies displays a much greater degree of spotting than its offshore counterpart.

Humpback whale, these animals are now staying in Alaskan waters much later in the year as sea temperatures rise due to global warming, off the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, United States of America, North America

Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) dam on drainage channel in Narew marshes, Podlaskie, Poland. MORE INFO: Beaver activity benefits much other wetland wildlife by helping to maintain high water levels in Poland's ancient marshes and swamp forests.

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) brownk member of scorpeonfish family showing much detai and red eyel, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) purple/pink member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) purple/pink member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) purple/pink member of scorpeonfish family showing much detail, Mabul, Borneo, Malaysia

Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) having caught Greater spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The otter took only the innards of the dogfish by opening a short section of skin behind the pectoral fin (see images under 'Greater spotted dogfish'). The rest of the fish, still alive, was left on the shore and never retrieved. Perhaps the tough shark skin and battling fish are too much work when other food is plentiful? Hebrides, Scotland

A smart meter for showing how much electricity your house is using, United Kingdom, Europe

Inshore Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, Stenella attenuata graffmani, mother & calf porpoising, Costa Rica, Pacific Ocean. Adults of this subspecies display a much greater degree of spotting than their offshore counterparts, youngsters have little or no spotting.

Short finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorynchus). A group of pilot whales including two youngsters, the latter showing their much paler colouring. Gulf of California.

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in an Balaji ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Nim Po't, souvenir shop in Antigua, Guatemala. Typical painted dolls. Nimpot is a handicraft shop located in the heart of Antigua Guatemala, at our shop you will find the best hadicrafts of the country, we also sale high quality textiles and you can find a huge variety from every single area of Guatemala. Guipiles (blouse), cortes (skirt), masks, belts (fajas) and much more.

Nim Po't, souvenir shop in Antigua, Guatemala. Mayan women weave inside the store. Nimpot is a handicraft shop located in the heart of Antigua Guatemala, at our shop you will find the best hadicrafts of the country, we also sale high quality textiles and you can find a huge variety from every single area of Guatemala. Guipiles (blouse), cortes (skirt), masks, belts (fajas) and much more.

Gran Cenote de Tulum in Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico. There are thousands of cenotes dotted all over Mexico���s Yucatan Peninsula, and their existence is as much a defining characteristic of the region as is the distinct geological feature from which they result. Once revered by the ancient Mayans as sacred wells, they are now magnets for tourists, adventurers, and explorers alike.

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in an Balaji ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Widows praying in an Balaji ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

The sponging mouthparts consist of a fleshy, elbowed labium, at the distal end of which are large, sponge-like organs called the labella (singular, labellum). The labella is a complex structure consisting of many grooves, called pseudotrachea, which sops up liquids much like a sponge does.

Widows praying in a Bhajan ashram, Vrindavan, Mathura district, India

Greenhouses. Sea of plastics. Roquetas de Mar, Alameria, Spain

Episyrphus balteatus, sometimes called the marmalade hoverfly; like most other hoverflies it mimics a much more dangerous insect, the solitary wasp, though it is a quite harmless species

Man explaining that pressure gauge shows how much air is in the tank during scuba diving, Spain, Europe

Alaba Market, Lagos Nigeria. Many of the computers here are second hand and shipped from Asia, the USA or Europe for reuse. The small shop dealers buy electronics from the containers and are very good at repairing the goods for sale. When material has no value is it sent to nearby dumps, and young men look for parts or wire that they recycle the metals. However, much toxic material ends up in these dumps in Nigeria.

Floral & geometric patterns of restored Timurid tile mosaics decorate a wall in the courtyard of the Friday Mosque or "Masjid-i Jami", the largest mosque in Herat, dating to 1200 AD, Herat, Afghanistan. Much of the Ghorid and Timurid decorations on the mosque had been badly damaged during the centuries, but a restoration project begun in 1943 continues today.

Alaba Market, Lagos Nigeria. Many of the computers here are second hand and shipped from Asia, the USA or Europe for reuse. The small shop dealers buy electronics from the containers and are very good at repairing the goods for sale. When material has no value is it sent to nearby dumps, and young men look for parts or wire that they recycle the metals. However, much toxic material ends up in these dumps in Nigeria.

A guard at Queen Gawhar Shad's mausoleum, stands in front of four tall minarets, once part of a madrassa that was built in the 15th century by the last of the Timurid rulers, in Herat, Herat Province, Afghanistan. One of the finest examples of Timurid architecture, the minarets are spectacular remnants of a much larger complex considered to be one of the finest examples of Timurid architecture

A lone, young man walks along a long, empty, prairie, dirt road found along the foothills that border the Rocky mountains in southern Alberta during October of 2005. Much of this area of low population density, large ranches and farms nestled at the base of the southern Rocky mountains is changing hands to concentrations of people in tight and clustered housing with paved roads.

Men, soldiers and schoolboys carry banners and photos to the shrine in the Panjshir Valley of the famous Tajik commander, Ahmad Shah Masood, during a memorial on the one year anniversary of his assasination, September 9, 2002. Masood was a revered mujahedin leader who also was one of the leaders of the Northern Alliance which opposed the Taliban and helped the US Military in their defeat. Masood was assasinated by what are thought to be Al Queda operatives on Sept. 9, 2001. A shrine has been erected in the Panjshir Valley from where he led much of his resistance to both the Soviet and Taliban forces, to honor this latest of Afghan war heros.

Men and boys on bikes ride past a towering, ancient minaret, outside of Ghazni, Afghanistan, October 1, 2002. Made of brick decorated with Kufic and Naksh Script and floral motifs, the minaret dates back to the early 12th century and was built by Sultan Masud III of the Ghaznavid Dynasty, who ruled over an empire encompassing much of Afghanistan, Northern India, Persia and Central Asia. The minaret was once three times as tall as its current 70 feet, and is thought to have been part of a large mosque complex. Now an important truck stop on the road to Kandahar, Ghazni, located on the Lora River at the elevation of 2,225 meters, is the capital of Ghazni province and is a market for sheep, wool, camel hair cloth, corn, and fruit-it also continues to be a haven for Taliban insurgents.

Tajik girls study in a rural school, without windows, desks or chairs, in the Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan. The Panjshir Valley, which was a stronghold for Tajik commander Achmed Shah Masood, was heavily bombed during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, but much has now been rebuilt.