Late fall wildflowers, appropriately called in Spanish mirasol [looks at the sun], turn like colorful little satellite dishes all seeking the same signal as they track the course of the sun during the day on the high plateau of the Sierra Madre near San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico. Photo taken by William D. Thompson (México) - Nature

This picture was taken Nov. 7, 2004, from my driveway. These were the brightest northern lights I have ever seen! Photo taken by Joan Soles (Estados Unidos) - Nature

My precious 2 year old niece, and favorite photo subject, was clowning for the camera during a visit to her grandparent's house in June, 2004. She is a very special young girl who made medical history as the first child in the world to have benefitted from a new medical procedure at New York Medical Center, to prevent an inherited form of cancer (retinoblastoma) that nearly took the life of her older sister, and most of her father's eyesight when he was a child. While she sat on the shaded front porch steps, an unusual lighting came from the sunlight bouncing off the sidewalk in front of her, which I thought enhanced her impish expression. Photo taken by Brian L. Zimmerman (Estados Unidos) - People/Family/Friends

Image of a series or rain drops caught on a single spider web that I took in my front yard. I like it because of its starkness and simplicity. Like many things in nature, I think that the very simplest things often go unnoticed and underappreciated for the beauty that such scenes contribute to our environment. Maybe that's why they are so temporary and quick to disappear. Photo taken by Christopher Davis (Estados Unidos) - Nature

This picture was taken during the opening week of the National American Indian Museum in Washington, D.C. - Sept. 2004. The subject, an American Indian from South Dakota was extremly gracious to all who took his picture. Each time I look at the picture I see a face rich in history and experience, and one that endured the tests of time to get to this historic moment of recognition. Photo taken by Charlaine Reese (Estados Unidos) - People/Family/Friends

I went apple picking with some friends -- but before we ate them up, I decided to take a photo. Photo taken by Terry Cervi (Estados Unidos) - Artistic/Creative

This shot was taken in Orlando, Florida, while on a business trip. In the midst of a busy city, these two birds were perched peacefully on a wire. The dusky feel of this shot is really relaxing. Photo taken by Lou Gonzalez (Estados Unidos) - Animals/Pets

I have to say I am an accomplice to the fly murder. I saw the mantis by my porch light, and I saw the fly cleaning himself -- so I put the mantis closer and it only took a second for him to spot the fly, sneak up to him and snatch him. Photo taken by Eleanor Caputo (Estados Unidos) - Nature

I was pleased with the final result of this picture because of the contrast and glass like water. It was taken on the banks of the Ohio River in Marietta, Ohio early one foggy morning. The boat is the Delta Queen, a leisure boat for vacationing on the Ohio River. Photo taken by Lee Leckler (Estados Unidos) - Travel/Vacation

This photo is of the World War II Normandy American Cemetery situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel in Colleville-sur Mer, France. I took the photo while on a 3-week Student Ambassador trip to Europe. Photo taken by Tyler Thorp (Estados Unidos) - Travel/Vacation

Taken during a performance of a ballet folklorico group as they danced in the fiestas of a community near San Miguel de Allende, in central Mexico. The dancers are high school age, and their costumes are typical of the state of Chihuahua. Photo taken by William D. Thompson (México) - Travel/Vacation

This "abstractive zebra" was photographed using a Nikon camera with a 70-300 mm lens. Photo taken by Netzach Farbiash (Israel) - Nature

This is my favorite photo of a dahlia! I took the photo at a dahlia show this past September with my trusty Kodak DC4800 digital camera. Photo taken by Neil Evans (Estados Unidos) - Nature

This picture was taken in our garden pond in August 2004. We watched the frogs grow up from tadpoles to the hansome prince and princess of the pond. Photo taken by Daniel Fudav (Estados Unidos) - Nature

Will is a regular guest at a soup kitchen where I am a volunteer. He is one of the most kindhearted persons I have ever met, and I wanted to capture that essence on film. Photo taken by Leroy Allen Skalstad (Estados Unidos) - People/Family/Friends

A long distance from any ocean, southern Colorado hosts mountain sized sand dunes. This image was captured at Great Sand Dunes National Park, October 2004. A very worthwhile travel destination for anyone. Amazingly beautiful sand dunes rise to rival the mountain peaks. Photo taken by Richard H. Hahn (Estados Unidos) - Travel/Vacation

Taken in September 2004, this is a picture of my 2 1/2 year old daughter Lauren. We were playing at a local park and I was fortunate enough to catch this moment. Photo taken by Lee Elliott (Canadá) - People/Family/Friends

Taken October 2004, at the Georgetown (DC) Boat House. I love the vibrant colors, composition, and reminder of vacations taken as a kid. Photo taken by Keith Douglas Arnold (Estados Unidos) - Travel/Vacation

My daughter's surprised face, taken at an outside birthday party. Photo taken by Darcey Salwak (Estados Unidos) - People/Family/Friends

Boo-ooo! Photo taken by Evy Johansen (Dinamarca) - Holidays/Events

It's fall in Minnesota, and this is the river we live on. I LOVE the colors of this time of year! Photo taken by Joan Soles (Estados Unidos) - Nature

Everyone loves a Slinky! This is one of my favorite subjects to photograph as a slight change in angle or camera position can produce very interesting abstract shapes. Photo taken by David S. April (Estados Unidos) - Artistic/Creative

This is a beautiful picture of my four girls taken in our backyard after swimming. Claire, age 3 1/2, and her identical triplet sisters, Mary Jane, Campbell and Grace, ages 2 1/2. They love freezer pops and Mom doesn't let them eat them inside (very often). Photo taken by Elizabeth A. Tiffin (Estados Unidos) - People/Family/Friends

I was setting up my camera and tripod to photograph the father of these two kids. I looked over my shoulder and was surprised to see these youngsters wrestling for position on a rock so they could see what I was doing. This image was captured on August 8, 2004. At nearly 14,000 feet elevation, it was a beautiful day on Mt. Evans in Colorado. The mountain goats are very gentle creatures. Photo taken by Richard Hahn (Estados Unidos) - Animals/Pets