The amazing images vying for first place in National Geographic's photo competition

National Geographic launched their annual traveller photo contest on April 7, and they have already been flooded with 

impressive images documenting everything from rainbow waterfalls and Indian temples to wild rhinos grazing in the bush.

The incredible entries are not only visually stunning, but also provide a new perspective or take on locations around the world.  

The competition is running until June 30, with spectacular prizes on offer for the winner. 

An eight-day National Geographic Photo Expedition to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal for two awaits the receiver of the sought-after award, with runners up getting trips of their own as well and seven merit prize winners receiving a $200 gift certificate to B&H Photo. 

The renown travel magazine has been running the competition for 27 years, and in recent years has seen a staggering 18,000 entries annually. 

Typically the judges are drawn to images that are both quirky and surprising, and pay special attention to the action and timing captured in the photo.

The winner could also be featured to an extensive audience on the magazine's social media accounts. 

Impressively, the National Geographic's Instagram account, recently hit 17 million followers, and one billion likes, making it officially the top non-celebrity account on the social media platform. 

(dailymail.co.uk)