Originally taken to represent a theme of "April Showers" this photo won first prize. "Sous la pluie" simply translates to "in the rain". Photo taken by Alexis Yobbagy (Canada) - Artistic/Creative

Springtime in the Netherlands. Photo taken by Els Bax (Netherlands) - Nature

This is a photo of a very kindhearted lady I met in a rural village in Laos.
I stayed in the village, at the invitation of a woman I met on a local bus. Spending a couple days with the children, families and elders of this village will remain one of my most memorable of experiences. Photo taken by Tatum Wulff (Canada) - Travel/Vacation

Rental boats on the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal near downtown Washington, DC. The quiet and peacefulness of this scene attracted me. Photo taken by Bill Jonscher (United States) - Travel/Vacation

Just playing around with freezing high speed action. Photo taken by Randy Brogen, CPP (United States) - Artistic/Creative

Ah, poor Maddie. Made to sit and hold up a sign saying hold old she is (5 months), and wear a paper birthday hat. With all 3 of our children, I've taken monthly shots of them the first year to watch them grow.
I love this photo because it reminds me of the look of dismay you'd see in one of those photos of a child who takes the first lick of their ice cream cone -- only to have the scoop topple off the cone onto the ground. Photo taken by Rebecca Henry (United States) - People/Family/Friends

I took this picture while taking a drive through the wet lands along Maryland's Eastern Shore. Photo taken by Melissa McLain (United States) - Nature

Taken on a beautiful spring day while walking the dogs with my sister & brother in law while checking out Tower Ranch Golf course pre-season conditions. Photo taken by Bob McEachern (Canada) - People/Family/Friends

This swan took up residence in a pond that was flooded by torrential rains. The swan started to hiss as I neared it, so I quickly backed away to avoid upsetting it more. The early morning fog allows the viewer to focus on the swan and it's immediate environment. Photo taken by Andrew Senesac (United States) - Nature

Just a photo taken at my home. Photo taken by Harsh Sharma (India) - People/Family/Friends

The image shows the intricate form of this wonderful weed. Taken in June in Maryland. Photo taken by Steve Webb (United States) - Artistic/Creative

Going for a walk in the rain isn't always fun, especially when you have to carry an umbrella that's twice your size Photo taken by Jodi M. Walsh (United States) - People/Family/Friends

This lone tree enduring the winter with grace and patience was so lovely. I took it in Suffern, NY and it shows the beauty in the harshest of nature's conditions. Photo taken by Barbara Socor (United States) - Nature

I took the photo of this woman on the outskirts of her village at Tajpur in West Bengal, India. She was returning home in the evening hours with her cattle. Photo taken by Debjyoti Nayak (India) - People/Family/Friends

The beauty of a crisp winter day. Photo taken by Christine Czernin (Austria) - Artistic/Creative

The striking and colorful front of the historical building "Ledenhof" in Osnabrueck, Germany, inspired me to take this image. Photo taken by Mustafa Kizilcay (Germany) - Artistic/Creative

The photo was taken in China, very early in the morning just after sunrise. The fisherman seems like a guardian angel emerging through the mist. Photo taken by Michal Pistol (Israel) - People/Family/Friends

I was looking for something special to do with Chinese Lanterns, and while cleaning out a friend's garden I came across these - all withered and dried up. Immediately I thought of doing something creative with one of them and I took them to my basement studio. Using a glass bottom to get the reflection I started snapping away until I got the image that I wanted. I made minor contrast adjustments, but this is right out of the camera. Photo taken by George Hatzipantelis (Canada) - Artistic/Creative

This was taken in Washington DC in March during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. I love that you can see both the blossoms and the Washington Monument. Photo taken by Heather Combs (United States) - Travel/Vacation

This picture is special to me because I love photographing my children, and them in the sunset made a beautiful scene. The photo was taken in our back yard in Colorado. Photo taken by Dana Long (United States) - Artistic/Creative

I took this at Lake Tobias in Halifax, PA. This little guy was running after the safari bus and getting all the treats everyone was passing out. I love the bright colors in him! Photo taken by Lauren R. H. Campbell (United States) - Animals/Pets

My little cousin loves being a cowboy. He is right at home in this hat. Taken 2011 in Oklahoma. Photo taken by Sheryl Salisbury (United States) - People/Family/Friends

Editor's Note: Please enjoy today's International Picture of the Day selection from Limburg, Netherlands! Photo taken by J.A. Niemeijer (Netherlands) - Nature

I love the look on his face. At 8 years old, he looks so grown up and I can't help but smile when I look at this photo. It was taken in Houston during a Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo taken by Amanda Lambert (United States) - People/Family/Friends