2012 photo contest winners announced

ISTANBUL

The National Geographic contest’s winning photo by Ashley Vincent shows a tiger shaking herself dry at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand.

The National Geographic Photo Contest 2012 winners have been announced. Photographer Ashley Vincent of Chonburi, Thailand took home this year’s top honor: a $10,000 prize and trip to National Geographic’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The winning photo shows a tiger named Busaba shaking herself dry at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Vincent, who had taken many previous photos of Busaba, was looking for a new way to capture the tiger in her habitat when the opportunity presented itself. After going for a dip in her private pool, Busaba climbed out and began shaking the water off her fur coat.

“In all humility I have to say that Mother Nature smiled favorably on me that day,” Vincent told National Geographic.

According to National Geographic, photographers from at least 150 countries submitted more than 22,000 photos to this year’s contest. Though Vincent won the grand prize, National Geographic recognized winners in other categories, including first place and viewers’ choice for “People” and “Places,” along with several honorable mentions.