Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), underwater at Half Moon Caye, UNESCO, Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Caribbean land hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus), Half Moon Caye, UNESCO, Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Caribbean land hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus), Half Moon Caye, UNESCO, Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

A myriad of fish and coral underwater at Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Tigui, Tibesti Mountains, Chad

Star Wars looking oasis, Tigui, Tibesti Mountains, Chad

Aerial of Abeche, Chad

Anchoring boats, Sangha River, Dzanga Sangha National Park, UNESCO, Central African Republic

Mangrove trees on the beach at Blue Hole Park, Bermuda

Mangrove trees on the beach at Blue Hole Park, Bermuda

Mexican and foreign tourists in the Caribbean beaches of Cancun, Quintana Roo state, Mexico

Lava lizard (Microlophus spp) in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador, South America

Seagull at the Paradise Beach, Tulum, Quintana Roo State, Mexico

Camels in the Sharqiya Sands, formerly Wahiba Sands, desert region, Sultanate of Oman, Arabian Peninsula

Sharaan Nature Reserve, AlUla, Medina Province, Saudi Arabia

Yellow Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa Violacea), wading bird of the Americas that feeds on crustacea, Bermuda, Atlantic

Dunes at Souss-Massa National Park, Atlantic coast, Morocco

Upland goose (Chloephaga picta) goslings on Carcass Island in the Falkland Islands

Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a breeding and molting site in Estancia San Lorenzo, Argentina

A tube anemone grows on a sandy seafloor in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms.

Adult bull southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) attempting to cool off by flinging sand on his back, South Georgia, Polar Regions

Lagoon Observation Deck at Punta Sur, Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo State, Mexico

Trail at Punta Sur, Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo State, Mexico

Sea Star seen during the Palancar Gardens, El Cielito and Colombia Deep Reef Snorkelling Tour, Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo State, Mexico

Iguana at the rock with Caribbean Sea in the background, Paradise Beach, Tulum, Quintana Roo State, Mexico

Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a breeding and molting site in Estancia San Lorenzo, Argentina

Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a breeding and molting site in Estancia San Lorenzo, Argentina

Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a breeding and molting site in Estancia San Lorenzo, Argentina

The reservoir at Sand Hollow State Park in Utah, USA

Sloop Lagoon, Bay of Fires, Bay of Fires Conservation Area, Tasmania, Australia, Pacific

Sand dunes, St. Helens Conservation Area, St. Helens, Tasmania, Australia, Pacific

Johnson's Point beach, south-west coast, Antigua, West Indies, Caribbean

Mesquite flats sand dunes, death valley national park, california, usa

Mesquite flats sand dunes, death valley national park, california, usa

Ice and frost on the beach and sand dunes at Sandscale Haws near Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe

natterjack toad: bufo calamita in sand dune habitat otterpark aqualutra, nl

Peacock flounder.

Peacock flounder (Bothus mancus). Indo Pacific

01/04/2009, Sand Painting Gallery, man sand painting, glue and colour sand used for craft art. Dakar , YMCA City Center, Cape Verde Peninsula. Senegal

Wild female Northern Fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Endangered, rookery, haul out, Colony, Tyuleniy Island (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

01/04/2009, Sand Painting Galery, man sand painting, glue and colour sand used for craft art. Dakar , YMCA City Center, Cape Verde Peninsula. Senegal

Zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra) Adult animal displaying colo Gangga Island North Sulawesi Indonesia Pacific Ocean. More info: Like all lionfish this species has toxins associated with its dorsal and pectoral

Yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicus) Juvenile animal swimming about coral reef. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. More info: This species incorporates tetrodotoxin within its tissues.

Blue seastars (Linkia laevigata) on white sand. Komodo, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Wunderpus octopus, Wunderpus photogenicus. This rare species of octopus is sometimes found in sandy burrows on shallow slopes in the Coral Triangle. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacfic Ocean.

White sand reflecting bright sunlight in shallow water. Palau, Micronesia, Pacific Ocean.

Whitemargin stargazer (Uranoscopus sulphureus) Adult fish hiding in sand using lure to attract prey. Komodo, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Adult animal swimming above a coral reef plateau. Palau, Micronesia, Pacific Ocean. More info: This species is listed as endangered by the IUCN.

Thorny seahorse, Hippocampus hystrix. Variable in color, this species is often found in sandy, rubble bottoms clinging to sponges or bits of coral. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) Juvenile fish floating over volcanic sand. Komodo, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Wild female Northern Fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Endangered, rookery, haul out, Colony, Tyuleniy Island (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Inuit Settlement with two local Captive Huskie dogs watching a whale cleanse, Lorino Village (Chukotskiy Peninsular) Russia, Asia.

Whitemargin stargazer (Uranoscopus sulphureus) hiding in sand waiting for prey to pass by. Komodo, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Tube anemones (pachycerianthus delwynae), wild, day, shore diving, sand, metropolitan, Perth city, Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, Indian Ocean. MORE INFO: attractive specie is white with purple tips on the tentacles

Weathered oil slick on beach, Southern Morocco (RR)

Adult great blue heron (Ardea herodias cognata) feeding on green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings at Las Bachas, Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, Ecuador

Sand dunes in Teesmouth National Nature Reserve on Teesside, England, United Kingdom, Europe

01/04/2009, Sand Painting Galery, man sand painting, glue and colour sand used for craft art. Dakar , YMCA City Center, Cape Verde Peninsula. Senegal

grey seal halichoerus grypus pup on sandy beach, early december. eastern england.

Peacock flounder (Bothus mancus). Indo Pacific

Adult bull southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) flipping sand onto its back to cool off on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Pre-dawn landing on Isla Magdalena on the Baja Peninsula, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Pre-dawn landing on Isla Magdalena on the Baja Peninsula, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Wild female Northern Fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Endangered, rookery, haul out, Colony, Tyuleniy Island (Bering Sea), Russia, Asia

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Palms and old pier in Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Southern Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa), fighting males in the dry and barren Auob riverbed, Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Two Reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) swims with open mouth over sandy bottom, from the front, Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Pacific Ocean, Australia, Oceania

Hippopotamus (Hippopatamus amphibius) on the sandy bank of a river, adult, Kruger National Park, South Africa, Africa

Hippopotamus (Hippopatamus amphibius) on the sandy bank of a river, adult, Kruger National Park, South Africa, Africa

Well camouflaged fish with sharp teeth, lizardfish (Synodus saurus), on the sandy seabed. Dive site El Cabron Marine Reserve, Arinaga, Gran Canaria, Spain, Atlantic Ocean, Europe

Portrait of lizardfish (Synodus saurus) with pointed teeth. Dive site El Cabron Marine Reserve, Arinaga, Gran Canaria, Spain, Atlantic Ocean, Europe

Bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), lying in the red sand, Namib-Naukluft Desert, Namibia, Africa

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) . Female with two chicks on the ridge of a grass-grown sand dune. Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) . Female on the right and male on the ridge of a grass-grown sand dune. In between them a chick. Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) . Female on the left and male on the ridge of a grass-grown sand dune. Behing them a chick. Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Lion (Panthera leo) . Male. Resting on the ridge of a grass-grown sand dune. Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) . At sunrise on a grass-grown sand dune. Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) . At sunrise on a grass-grown sand dune. Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Africa

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) baby crossing a red dune lifts up its left front leg. Kalahari, South Africa Kalahari, South Africa, Africa

Mating of the flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi), West Pacific, Philippines, Asia

Jaguar (Panthera onca) running across a sandy beach, Pantanal, Brazil, South America

Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), lies in sandy soil, Sinai, Egypt, Africa

Caravan, nomads ride on Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) through the Gobi desert, reflection in water, Oemnoe-Gobi-Aimag, Mongolia, Asia

Nomads ride on Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), crossing sand dune of the Gobi desert, sunrise, Oemnoe-Gobi-Aimag, Mongolia, Asia

Group of Red Sea garden eels (Gorgasia sillneri), feeding on plankton floating by them leaning out of the sandy bottom, Eel Garden, Red sea, Dahab, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Africa

Lion (Panthera leo), adult female, attentive, observing, sitting in dry riverbed, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa, Africa

Namib sand gecko (Pachydactylus rangei) in Sand Dune, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia, Africa

Three group of Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris) swims over sandy bottom, Red Sea, Sataya Reef, Marsa Alam, Egypt, Africa

Dugong (Dugong dugon) eating sea grass, Red Sea, Hermes Bay, Marsa Alam, Egypt, Africa

Tourist on a dromedaries with bedouin (Camelus dromedarius), sand dunes in the desert, Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Sahara, Morocco, Africa

Three Dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius), caravan, run in sand dunes in the desert, Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Sahara, Morocco, Africa

Caravan with dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius), sand dunes in the desert, Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Sahara, Morocco, Africa

Caravan with dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius), sand dunes in the desert, Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Sahara, Morocco, Africa

Leopard (Panthera pardus) stands on sand track, Tsavo West National Park, Kenya, Africa

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) swim over sandy bottom in the blue water, Red Sea, Marsa Alam, Egypt, Africa

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta), adult, lying in the sand, Tswalu Game Reserve, Kalahari, North Cape, South Africa, Africa