National Geographic wildlife photography contest winners a reminder of the importance of protecting wilderness

National Geographic has announced the finalists and winners of its annual wildlife photography contest. Here are the five featured and winning entries from the U.S., which serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting wilderness and wild animal habitats.

"Grizzly leftovers" (Photo by Zack Clothier)

Zack Clothier's "Grizzly leftovers" (above) won in the Animals in their Environment category. The remotely-triggered photo shows a curious grizzly bear in Montana looking at the camera as it approaches bull elk remains for a bit of lunch. The photo was taken in very early spring, when hungry bears attempt to bring their weight back up after hibernation.

"Storm fox" (Photo by Jonny Armstrong)

Jonny Armstrong's "Storm fox" was highly commended in the Animal Portraits category. Armstrong is a professor of fisheries and wildlife at Oregon State University, but the photo was taken at Karluk Lake on Kodiak Island, Alaska. He and a colleague followed the red fox around for several days, watching as it foraged berries, chased songbirds, and teased a brown bear cub. 

"River dance" (Photo by David Herasimtschuk)

David Herasimtschuk's "River dance" was highly commended in the Underwater category. The photo shows a school of longnose gar in Citico Creek, Tennessee, in the Great Smokies near the Virginia border. In spring, hundreds of them migrate upstream to spawn. Appalachian streams are some of the most biologically diverse in the world, but a recent study in nearby West Virginia showed that mining cuts aquatic species biodiversity by 40%.

"Drama at high water" (Photo by Mac Stone)

Mac Stone's "Drama at high water" was highly commended in the Behavior: Mammals category. The image captures a raccoon rescuing its young from flooding caused by unusually heavy rains in the Everglades.

"Up for grabs" (Photo by Jack Zhi)

Jack Zhi's "Up for grabs" was highly commended in the Behavior: Birds category. The photo, shot in

Southern California, captures a young white-tailed kite reaching to grab a live mouse from its father. Juvenile white-tailed kites typically must master aerial food hand-offs from their parents until they can hunt on their own.