We're no strangers to the eye-candy-creating abilities of National Geographic photographers (just look at this narwhal series from photographer Paul Nicklen), but their latest book is truly something special.
From animals that are among the last of their kind, to some of the planet's most hidden wonders, the 400 pages in Rarely Seen are a celebration of the natural world and all of its inhabitants. We've rounded up some of our favorites, so sit back, relax, and get your "nature zen" on.
A leucistic (or partially albino) male peacock struts his stuff. Image: Chi Lui/National Geographic
Flowers cascade down the oldest wisteria tree in Japan. The tree began its life in 1870. Image: Peter Lourenco/National Geographic
A flock of flamingos photographed off the coast of the Yucatan, Mexico. Image: Robert Haas/National Geographic
Glittering shafts of selenite stretch as long as 30 feet (9 m) inside the Cave of Crystals. Two brothers found this subterranean labyrinth in 2000. Image: Carsten Peter/National Geographic
A male Vogelkop bowerbird collects colorful flowers and fruits to decorate his cone-shaped bower in the Arfak Mountains of Papua New Guinea. Bowerbirds use this elaborate forest artistry to woo a mate. Image: Ingo Arndt/National Geographic
Lemurs cling to The colossal 'Grand Tsingy' in western Madagascar. High-spiked towers of eroded limestone tower over the landscape in the world's largest stone forest. Image: Stephen Alvarez
An ice tower dwarfs a climber as it belches gas and smoke on the flanks of Antarctica’s Mount Erebus. As heat carves out a cave on the volcano’s slope, escaping steam immediately freezes in the air, building these knobby towers. Image: George Steinmetz/National Geographic
A green-crowned brilliant and a green pit viper lock eyes in Costa Rica. Image: Bence Máté/National Geographic
Dinosaur bones poke out from toffee-coloured sands in Niger’s Ténéré desert. Image: George Steinmetz/National Geographic
A sea of King Penguins on the hills of South Georgia. Image: Frans Lanting/National Geographic
Top header image: Robert Haas/National Geographic
Funny
Film and Photo
Natural World
