Meet my 48 day old son, Ujan Atig Pal (UjanAtigPal.com) who doesn't know what to do with his two hands. So he plays with them by himself & makes new poses always. He had to stay in an ICU at a hospital as he was a premature baby born at 29 weeks. Doctors said that usually night shifts were boring as they didn't have much work to do. However during the 37 nights that Atig stayed there, each night was memorable & not boring as they used to spend their time with him and see his new poses with his hands always. This time too he was posing in a new manner with two hands on his face and a naughty smile. I couldn't resist myself from taking this candid shot! By the way, he is a really tiny baby. You cant probably guess how tiny he really is from this pic as I have digitally zoomed in to show his mischievous smile. Photo taken by Udayan Sankar Pal (India) - People/Family/Friends

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is something really special. I don't want to get all zen on you, but to be around and to touch trees where some are over 5,000 years old. Pretty damn amazing. The oldest tree in the world "Methuselah" is there. In fact these are the oldest trees in the world. They don't have a cloning root system like some plants, they have one root that grows. The roots are shallow, and without going to deep into explanation, the conditions are harsh up here, dry, its all alkaline, and rock. It's pretty amazing how these trees have adapted to basically grow from rock at 8,000 to 11,000'. Yes, right out of the Rock. The trees grow in soils that are shallow lithosols, usually derived from dolomite, sometimes limestone, sandstone or quartzite soils. Dolomite soils are alkaline, high in calcium and magnesium, low in phosphorus. These conditions tend to exclude other plant species, allowing bristlecones to thrive. Photo taken by Michael Keel (United States) - Travel/Vacation

A seal pup at the Bronx Zoo in New York woke up and had a yawn, then it cried out for its mother who was right behind him. Photo taken by Benjamin Weissman (United States) - Animals/Pets

The Border Roads Organization is incharge of maintaining roads in this mountainous terrain. Known for their trademark humour depicted on road signs, I expected to see some in Changla, the 2nd highest motorable road somewhere in Ladakh. What I did not expect is perhaps a board saying "Thanks" and nothing else& It seemed to be telling passersby, "Thanks" for visiting us as well as "Thanks" for going away. I have taken this shot in May 2013 at Ladakh in India. Photo taken by Udayan Sankar Pal (India) - Travel/Vacation

My 78 yr. old widowed mother is quite spry for her age and loves her Jacuzzi tub. When a entire bottle of bath soap fell in the tub, the suds got a little out of control before she could shut the jets off. I caught this quick snap in between gales of laughter! Photo taken by Sam Tallman (United States) - People/Family/Friends

At times we can all feel alone and blue. Sometimes we try to see the big picture and end up feeling overwhelmed. Often it's just a case of trying to focus on the small stuff. Small steps. Photo taken by Janine Kain (United Kingdom) - Artistic/Creative

This is a picture of my dog enjoying the snow in winter time. He loves playing out in it. Living away from home because of university is hard and I miss it so seeing photographs like this makes me happy and he looks so happy. This photograph was taken in winter 2014 in my garden. It relates to the theme because it is an animal that is my pet. Photo taken by Francesca Ormerwood (United Kingdom) - Animals/Pets

I enjoy traveling to places with my camera. This was my first trip to the Canadian Rockies. Moraine Lake, near Banff, is not as well known as some of the other places in this area. But, it has a spectacular beauty. This picture was taken in late June, 2014. This was the highlight of the entire trip! Photo taken by J Lynn Rhodes (United States) - Travel/Vacation

"Rays of hope" When i show these scene . I saw a amazing relation between the sun and the tree . Thats why I think , this is special. Photo taken by Dev Hansdah (India) - Nature

A new addition to the family. Life is for the curious. Photo taken by Janine Kain (United Kingdom) - Animals/Pets

Walking up to the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse on Long Island I noticed the fractal pattern in the ascending stairs. Photo taken by Bob Menak (United States) - Artistic/Creative

Exciting to see a turkey in strut, even minus one feather. Kentucky USA 2014 Photo taken by Bill Vickers (United States) - Nature

We befriended this blue jay over a period of 5 years. We had the pumpkin on the railings of our deck. We would lay the peanuts near the stalk and Peter would land and take one. We were setting the table for dinner and I decided to bring the pumpkin and set it on the table, you can see the result. Peter came in stood on the pumpkin not a care in the world. Happy Thanksgiving. Photo taken by Alexander Meredith (Canada) - Humor

This lone ear of corn in a field is a reminder that summer is over and autumn is here. Photo taken by Peter Sisario (United States) - Nature

Took this shortly after we adopted Ginger. She is looking out our front window watching for cats. Photo taken by Ardala Evans (United States) - Animals/Pets

This photo was one of my first to explore the macro beauty we so often overlook. It was taken at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area with a Kodak Z5010 back in August of 2012. I was drawn deep inside the flower realizing a whole other world of beauty. Photo taken by Michael D Fox (United States) - Nature

A couple out paddling on an evening to be remembered. The sun setting behind the bridge, made the perfect picture for the 'wonders of mother nature' on display. Photo taken by Odette (United States) - Nature

We watched as a mother opossum gave birth to her babies in the field behind our house and I think it shows newborn wildlife at its best. Photo taken by Christina Hedrick (United States) - Animals/Pets

This is my 12 week old son Cooper who was 9 weeks when I took the picture. His two older sisters thought he might like to play with their dolls. Photo taken by Tricia Maslyn (United States) - People/Family/Friends

This image is of Brian, himself, as he sits and plays the piano. This was taken Feb 2013. Photo taken by Patricia Isbell (United States) - Artistic/Creative

I love the fall colors here in Oregon, and Silver Falls State Park is one of the best places to experience it. Taken October 12th, 4:53 pm. Photo taken by Kevin Cowley (United States) - Nature

flowers behind a wet sheet of glass created this abstract painting (van Gogh) Photo taken by Tom Kal (United States) - Artistic/Creative

Looks Intence. Kessingland Zoo. Natural. Photo taken by T Connolly. (United Kingdom) - Nature

I went to a isolated lake on first day of year 2013 and by luck I came across to this section of lake where this stone was present and a perfect symmetry was getting created by its shadow. I clicked it and luckily it came out pretty well. Thats why this picture is special to me. This picture relates to the selected theme "nature" in a very well manner. It shows the nature with pure water and the nature of water --- "water always shows what you are" Photo taken by Mrigank Gupta (India) - Nature