splendour in the grass

Beautiful photos from the finals of a National Geographic photo competition
that make me think of the Wordsworth excerpt from Ode on the Intimations of Immortality:

 What though the radiance
 which was once so bright
 Be now for ever taken from my sight,
 Though nothing can bring back the hour
 Of splendour in the grass,
 of glory in the flower,
 We will grieve not, rather find
 Strength in what remains behind;
 In the primal sympathy
 Which having been must ever be;
 In the soothing thoughts that spring
 Out of human suffering;
 In the faith that looks through death,
 In years that bring the philosophic mind.

"One of the most spectacular photography contests is the National Geographic Photography Contest which is currently accepting submissions from all over the world. If you have a photograph you think might be up to snuff, don’t delay because today is the last day to submit which you can do online for free. National Geographic was kind enough to share 50 of their favorites with Colossal, some of which I’ve shared with you here. But don’t stop with this selection, see hundreds more photos curated by their own editors right here. The winners will be picked in December. Good luck!"

Photo and caption by Janez Tolar/National Geographic Photo Contest. Jamnik, small village in Slovenia. One morning in in autumn, fog was just in the right height at the right time.The atmosphere was heavenly, unforgettable.

Photo and caption by Mark Meyer/National Geographic Photo Contest. Hikers under the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska. When conditions are right, streams melt holes into the glacier. At times they are large and stable enough for exploration. The ice filters out most colors of light except for the blue wavelengths leaving a stunning blue glowing from the ice above.

Photo and caption by Fabien BRAVIN/National Geographic Photo Contest. A tiny mantis larva in an american poppy flower.

Photo and caption by Peng Jiang/National Geographic Photo Contest. The shoal is one of the most fascinating places in Xiapu, China. Fishermen farm fish, shrimp, and oysters and plant seaweed along this coast area.

Photo and caption by Agne Subelyte/National Geographic Photo Contest. I took this picture while I was in an aerial cableway going down from the Mt Pilatus in Central Switzerland. It was the end of a nice day spent hiking, including a stop by the beautiful little white chapel on Klimsenhorn on the way to the top.

via {colossal}