Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

These breathtaking photos are up for the National Geographic Travel Photo of the Year

The contest carries a $7,500 first prize.

THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Travel Photo contest is continuing to accept entries and it said the beautiful images are filing in.

There are three categories in the contest – Nature, People and Cities. As well a cash prize of $7,500 and the prestigious title, the winning photo will also be featured on the @NatGeoTravel Instagram account.

The magazine has shared a selection of entries it has received so far and some commentary from the photographers behind them:

Johnathan Lee Johnathan Lee

St Andrews Bay, Sub Antarctic, South Georgia Island: “It is moments like this that make the arduous expedition worth it. It takes three and a half days at sea to get to South Georgia—truly a final frontier. So, when you do get there, you just hope conditions work in your favor. You better be prepared to make it count.”

Nicolas Lagos Nicolas Lagos

“Before reaching adulthood, sub-adult pumas need to train their skills, which will later be useful when hunting by themselves. This one-and-a-half-year-old puma is just at the age to leave its mom’s protection to play with and chase siblings.”

Darryl MacDonald Darryl MacDonald

“I spent several months working on a research project on South Georgia island located in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean. The weather on South Georgia is notoriously harsh and it’s not uncommon to have winds gusting above 100 km per hour, rough seas, snow, rain, sleet and fog.

“One amazing result of this unique weather are lenticular clouds. These clouds formed over and hour or so, and happened to coincide with sunset, creating one of the most amazing natural displays I have witnessed.”

David Edgar David Edgar

“I took this photo of an adolescent humpback whale in the South Pacific, several miles off the coast of Tongatapu, Tonga. I captured this as a split-shot with half my dome port submerged, and the other above the surface.

“This playful whale came right up to me and looked directly into my eyes as the tip of his rostrum glistened in the afternoon sun. Looking closely, you can see Loni, our expert skipper, lining up a surface shot of this incredible encounter from the roof of our dive boat.”

Michelle Valberg Michelle Valberg

“Nothing better than being in my kayak in the rain, watching beautiful moments like this unfold.”

Jon Anderson Jon Anderson

“Occasionally, divers are in exactly the right place at the right time to witness an inexplicably beautiful event unfold. While watching a school of fish expand and contract in the Revillagigedo Islands, I suddenly realised a once in a lifetime moment was occurring.

“A giant oceanic manta ray entered the school from the left, and as it neared the center, the fish morphed into a near perfect sphere. The wings of the manta rose as it crossed the center of the sphere and I squeezed the shutter.”

Gary Cummins Gary Cummins

“Above the fog in Toronto: Illuminated from the city light below, a disco takes place.”

Allesandra Meniconzi Allesandra Meniconzi

“This winter, the breathtaking Khuvsgul Lake in Mongolia—called by locals, the ‘dark blue pearl’ has signs of climate change. The frozen surface melts faster than usual and the ice was not very thick. The sounds were scary: thundering, cracking, shaking, but locals keep moving across the ice as their means of transportation.”

Matt Horspool Matt Horspool

“India’s Holi festival is unlike anything seen on earth. It’s a time for great celebration and one that transcends socioeconomic class with a week of festivities. We had lined up for 2 hours to enter the Banke Bihari temple, Vrindavan for Phoolon wali Holi.

“A 20-minute moment of chaos, where thousands of people spill into the temple and are showered in color and flowers. The pressure from the crowd was so great that it crushed my phone when I was pinned against a ledge.”

Azril Azam Abdul Rahim Azril Azam Abdul Rahim

“I was travelling on Oigawa Line Steam Locomotive Express. It was not a peak season, therefore seats were almost empty. I tried my best to capture this authentic coach—including its preserved 1920s details.

“My activities were observed by the train master to ensure I observed the no-tripod rules. At first, her presence was disturbing, but it is kind of perfect too – her uniform is authentic, and it completes the historic scene.”

The contest is accepting entries until 3 May. 

Close
19 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute eastsmer
    Favourite eastsmer
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:14 AM

    FFFG Corruption is rife in our country

    719
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Packie O'Sullivan
    Favourite Packie O'Sullivan
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 1:40 AM

    @eastsmer: your one on the card is the spit of Sally from home and away!

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Ni Suilleabhain
    Favourite Jim Ni Suilleabhain
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 1:45 AM

    @eastsmer: if they didn’t know they were getting the contract, why would they change their name? Laughably corrupt filth running this country. Serious smoking gun.

    Just like DOB buying Siteserv lol.

    God, they really are both thick, and shameless. FFG Traitors.

    497
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute C_O'S
    Favourite C_O'S
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 7:29 AM

    @Jim Ni Suilleabhain: it’s all down to backscratching in the political field. “What’s in it for me ?”

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Hennessy
    Favourite Michael Hennessy
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:22 AM

    “They changed their name from Biometric Card Services for unknown reasons not long after being awarded the multi million euro contract”. Any chance it was because a government claiming that biometric data wasn’t involved insisted that the company receiving the multi million euro contract probably shouldn’t have the word “biometric” in their name?

    I listened to Regina Doherty on the radio one morning trying to explain how data that fit the definition of biometrics perfectly,wasn’t biometric data…it was painful.

    507
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:44 AM

    @Michael Hennessy: well fair play to you for trying!

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:14 AM

    @Michael Hennessy: BEFORE, not After

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:40 AM

    @thejournal: Any chance ypu could post one of these stories at one in the afternoon rather than one in the morning??

    315
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Ni Suilleabhain
    Favourite Jim Ni Suilleabhain
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 1:46 AM

    @Brinster: is it not a fair question he asks Brinster?

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
    Favourite Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 1:51 AM

    @The Risen: it’ll still be here when everyone wakes up in the morning.

    24
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:07 AM

    @Brinster: The Risen is right.
    Anything to say about this Biometric National ID card? Or are you happy with it?

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B McQ
    Favourite B McQ
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 4:26 PM

    @Brinster: Hmmm, I seem to recall that you have been spouting shi… I mean, contributing here, for far longer than 6m, what did you get banned for?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby Moore
    Favourite Bobby Moore
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:16 AM

    “A great little Country to do business in” – Enda Kenny
    PSC Card, don’t need it or want it. Thank you very much.

    306
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gulliver Foyle
    Favourite Gulliver Foyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 7:52 AM

    @Bobby Moore: my take is that it does have it’s uses, but not as an id card. It should be used in any situation where you need an electronically validated PPS number, which would be receiving public benefits (dole, children’s allowance, hospital and gp if you are public, transport pass if you are free). Similarly, it should be an “option” for voting, and applications, but never mandatory. The reason is I do not want items such as my driving licence or passport to be linked to revenue or social welfare, only my contributions. The problem for the government is the issued “mandatory” for the non mandatory services. Otherwise the card, though terribly designed, does have some uses. And people are clueless about what biometric means.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:09 AM

    @Gulliver Foyle: Really? What do you understand by biometrics?

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ennui Kenny
    Favourite Ennui Kenny
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:40 AM

    €60 million just to save €2.5 million. No wonder the country is knackered.

    Om another point, will the Journal.ie be looking at who owns the various companies involved and more importantly why two companies have alleged that there was bias in the tendering. I seem to remember a certain other company in the past having having a few problems when it came to who owned what, how they bought it and who got state contracts afterwards.

    297
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay Coleman
    Favourite Jay Coleman
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:44 AM

    @Ennui Kenny: christ no man..they’d have to have proper journalists for that and the current shower are only good for copy and paste articles. Look at the slant given to the scam artist in Dublin looking for a free house while getting €55k in benefits.

    213
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ennui Kenny
    Favourite Ennui Kenny
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 1:02 AM

    @Jay Coleman: Not to worry, I will get the real story in the Phoenix magazine. They actually investigate stories and reveal nice little insights into how things really went down. If you ever buy a copy just watch the same story reworded in all of the other Irish “news” outlets a few days later. Imitation being the best form of flattery and all of that.

    178
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:16 AM

    @Ennui Kenny: It would be a lot more if it continued

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Walsh
    Favourite Ian Walsh
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:44 AM

    Will the cesspit ever change?

    155
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:42 AM

    If this isn’t a wake up call for people ( your personal details are been sold to the highest bidder) then I really think we’re doomed!

    184
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vocal Outrage
    Favourite Vocal Outrage
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:41 AM

    @Colette Kearns: it’s actually the lowest bidder in most tender competitions

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:04 AM

    I’ve been saying for a long time now that this PSC contains biometric information. I’ve been rubbished, called a liar, a conspiracy theorist. Plus the usual insults.
    This card is a Biometric National Identity Card by the back door. By passing any debate, any constitutional issues any sort of national ID card would give rise to. There is not one bit of legislation to back this card or it’s purpose up. Your private and personal data, subject to EU law and regulation, has none of the protection such data is entitled to. Laws are being ignored.
    This is an intrusive, invasive, method of putting every individual in the country under 24/7 surveillance. The community based CCTV systems are able to identify anyone at any time.
    This is a fascist move by a fascist government.

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 9:31 AM

    @Dave Doyle: A photo is biometric data. That is the only biometric data on the card. To say there is more is a lie. The data is not shared with the gardai to say it is would be a lie. You live in a country that requires ID but Ireland you don’t.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @Kal Ipers: Kal, you called me a liar for saying the card contained biometric data. You claimed there was no biometric data contained on the card.
    The Gardai want access to the community based CCTVs being rolled out across the country. Those CCTVs have facial recognition software programmed into them.
    Yes, i do have a Bulgarian ID card. But i know it’s not biometric. I know what info is contained on it. It’s always been the norm here. It is subject to EU law and regulation on data protection. It’s handy i have used it for travel around the EU instead of my passport.
    That any government would force such a card on its citizens without proper debate or legislation is totally sinister.

    33
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:27 AM

    @Dave Doyle: I have always said the photo is classed as biometric data. To says it is biometric data is overblown but as technically it is true I have never denied it. Your national mandatory id card in Bulgary is biometric too. So no you don’t know what your card is. Tell us what other biometric data is on the PSC other than a photo
    The gardai still do not have access to the PSC data no matter what they do with cctv.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:00 AM

    @Kal Ipers: Kal, my Bulgarian ID contains NO biometric data.
    You seem not to want to join the dots where the PSC is concerned.
    Do you not understand the link between a biometric photo and facial recognition software. Or do you want to dismiss it as a conspiracy.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:29 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Your ID card has a photo, states eye colour, height that is biometric data. That is more than the PSC. You have again not Saud what biometric data besides the photo is in/on PSC.
    I fully understand what biometric data is and facial recognition software. They are mutually exclusive of each and do not require each other.
    You are believing conspiracy theories and really don’t know what you are talking about.
    I know the laws do not allow that data to be accessed by any police force. You want to make claims that are not happening nor legally allowed. You either are making it up yourself or believing another liar.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:41 AM

    @Kal Ipers: You might think you know everything. You’re in for a big surprise.
    Biometric data is unique to an individual person. My height is common, so is my eye colour.
    Try harder Kal.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:53 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Still can’t tell us what biometric data is on the PSC though. Dave Doyle isn’t a unique name either and you don’t seem to want to accept what is biometric data

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:33 PM

    @Kal Ipers: Biometrics uses identifiers unique to an individual. It makes use of people’s unique biological traits as a means to identify that person.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:58 PM

    @Dave Doyle: Again you aren’t saying what is on the PSC that is biometric that offends you.
    You realise a photo qualifies by your definition? It is an incredibly poor definition but eye colour and height qualify too.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute roscaf
    Favourite roscaf
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:20 AM

    Not mentioned in the article is that the company that won it DLRS is owned by Smurfit Kappa,

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gasher
    Favourite Gasher
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:00 AM

    Unfortunately I was made get one in 2011. I was informed that it was for social welfare only.
    To find out now the extent of the corruption around this shambles is disgusting. It’s too late for 3/4 of the population to do anything about it.
    I do think a national identity card for citizens of Ireland is a good idea and would welcome real debate about one and maybe even slip in a referendum so we the customers of Ireland can decide for ourselves.
    Maybe it can be like a dunnes card and we can get points for being good little sheeple if we do what we’re told.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Malone
    Favourite Willy Malone
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:57 AM

    FFG are seriously corrupt…

    127
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Caffrey
    Favourite Nick Caffrey
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:32 AM

    There is not the technical expertise in the department to draft the tender document. So they got the current supplier to do it (someone in the office is pals with someone in the supplier’s office), and the result is a one-horse race. Simples.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gasher
    Favourite Gasher
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:50 AM

    @Nick Caffrey: sounds pretty plausible Nick. And not the first time I’d imagine. Corruption rife in this and all previous governments

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:52 AM

    @Nick Caffrey: That is not true in anyway shape or form. The tenders are very secretive and there is no way DEASP would show it to the company before hand. They are very experienced writing tenders. The suggestion one person writes them is ludacrise and that they hand the duty to the company is absolutely absurd. You have to admit you just made up this scenario in your own head without any experience of the process.

    3
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Mac Einri
    Favourite Cathal Mac Einri
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:56 AM

    @Kal Ipers: the facts that they only got one tender from the existing supplier and that they other companies are complaining shows the process was poorly performed or was corrupt.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:11 PM

    @Cathal Mac Einri: No it doesn’t prove anything. All it means for certain is the other companies couldn’t understand the brief or would accept the risks associated with it. Have you ever been involved with tenders for companies and state bodies? I have and they are all pretty much the same. Common problem with all tenders not unique to any government or department.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Mac Einri
    Favourite Cathal Mac Einri
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 2:27 PM

    @Kal Ipers: Just because this problem (as you say) is standard across all government agencies does not make it right. It is us the taxpayer that is being ripped off.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angry_Man41
    Favourite Angry_Man41
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:58 PM

    @Nick Caffrey: I imagine it went through the OGP. Enough expertise there to do that

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stuart Wootten
    Favourite Stuart Wootten
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 9:04 AM

    Need to be careful what’s said but “follow the money” all might be revealed!

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Campbell
    Favourite John Campbell
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 7:24 AM

    Nothing to see here ???

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Byrne
    Favourite Lisa Byrne
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:01 AM

    Off topic, but it should be law for everyone to have a psc card on them at all times, so when someone dodged a fair, littered, they can be given on the spot fines and nkt get away with giving a false name and if they are on the dole have the fine deducted.

    On point Gelmato make great passports their security features are amazing

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gasher
    Favourite Gasher
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 6:44 AM

    @Lisa Byrne: not a psc card but a real legitimate National Identity card. Issued by the state with the correct data protection in place.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:07 AM

    @Lisa Byrne: they do that already , if you try to dodge paying on the dart for example, when you give them your details they check your address with the census forms information!

    7
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Byrne
    Favourite Lisa Byrne
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:20 AM

    @Colette Kearns: but by law you don’t have to carry the psc? I could just give a false address and Im away

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:45 AM

    I suppose it’s also a conspiracy that NTMA spent more on renting it’s HQ than it would have cost to but it. NTMA have paid 175 million in rent when they could have bought the building for 164 million.
    But we don’t see that scandal spoken about or questioned in MSM or RTE, do we?
    There are other scandals breaking about NTMA that are being kept out of the public domain by a complient MSM who question nothing.
    The same with this PSC.
    The hallmarks of FG since they took power in 2011 are corruption, arrogance, contempt and lies.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:01 AM

    @Dave Doyle: @ Kal Ipers.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:37 AM

    @Dave Doyle: WTF has that to do with the PSC? Bad government police on purchase rules has no relevance. Do you just hate Ireland and love to go on about it from another country. You really don’t know what you are talking about with the PSC. You outright avoid direct answers and spout lies.

    1
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:44 AM

    @Kal Ipers: Ohh it’s a lie is it? I like calling out the corruption that is FFG. Social media is the place to go to get the truth MSM refuses to publish. No wonder FFG want to shut it down.
    The truth is out there Kal.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:16 PM

    @Dave Doyle: State what biometric data is on the PSC and prove me wrong.
    You have posted a link from Facebook that was an outright lie before. You don’t care about the truth you just believe everything is corrupt and believe what you hear that agrees

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 12:35 PM

    @Kal Ipers: You’re getting desperate Kal.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 1:00 PM

    @Dave Doyle: Desperate? You can’t even tell us what biometric data is and don’t understand when it is pointed out. You just keep on avoiding answering the question and spout lies instead.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Gallagher
    Favourite Anthony Gallagher
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:50 AM

    Finn gaels great democratic revolution ,same old same old .

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TamuMassif2019
    Favourite TamuMassif2019
    Report
    Aug 16th 2018, 10:37 PM

    @Anthony Gallagher: IMF pals of pals???

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Conroy
    Favourite Eugene Conroy
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 10:20 AM

    Unfair advantage !!! Never I say NEVER.Would never happen in Ireland

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Flood
    Favourite John Flood
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 9:08 AM

    Isn’t there a challenge process to contract awards?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 9:33 AM

    Another overblown report. This is a common problem with all tenders. The companies that are complaining are really complaining the tender isn’t detailed enough for them to understand. If you want to go on about a conspiracy the fact the letters are near identical says a lot.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irish big fellow
    Favourite Irish big fellow
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 11:33 AM

    Most tenders of this value have to be put on a Euro tendering process. What’s the problem with that?
    The PS card is great and cannot understand all the fuss and only the sh*t stirrers seem to have a problem with it.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Corr
    Favourite Brian Corr
    Report
    Aug 13th 2018, 8:33 PM

    This is the exact same for HSE and other contracts to even qualify the hoops you have to jump through are ridiculous….unfair on Irish businesses especially local ones that can give better service to the end user.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel