Fangs bared, claws out, eyes blazing... this is what passes for a friendly game in the tiger-cub world.
The ferocious looking showdown was in fact just a play-fight at a national wildlife park in India.
The photographer won a commendation in the 2014 National Geographic Photo Contest, as did the one who snapped this owl’s sideways glance during flight in Canada.
The stunning image of the tiger cubs was snapped as they were play fighting with each other in the Bandhavgarth national park in the Madhya Pradesh area of India.
The five second rumble was captured on camera by wildlife photographer Archna Singh.
Meanwhile, the short eared owl checks there is no-one behind him as he prepares to tuck into a tasty snack in Boundary Bay, Canada.
The picture was captured by snapper Henrik Nilsson who was also commended for his efforts.
Photographers from more than 150 countries submitted photos in three categories: people, places and nature.
The grand prize winner receives $10,000 and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2015.
The first place winner in each category receives $2,500 and his/her winning photograph will be published in National Geographic magazine.
