Bird Bouquet Roosting in Trinidad's Caroni Swamp, scarlet ibises are a beloved symbol of the Caribbean nation—and the inspiration behind thousands of acres of mangrove preserves. Photograph: Tim Laman

Bactrian Camels The endangered two-humped Bactrian camel inhabits the deserts of Central and East Asia. Used to store fat, which can be converted to water and energy when sustenance is not available, these humps give camels their legendary ability to endure long periods of travel without water. As their fat is depleted, the humps become floppy and flabby.

Sampling Arctic Ocean Water Fridtjof Nansen takes a reading of deep Arctic Ocean water temperature as part of the expedition's scientific work. Astronomical, meteorological, and oceanographic data were consistently collected.

skunk clownfish Tucking themselves in among the stinging tentacles of their anemone, skunk clownfish find refuge from predators.

Loess Plateau In northern China's Loess Plateau the edges of terraced fields routinely collapse down steep gullies. Farming on this fragile silt contributes to one of the world's highest erosion rates. Here, tiny earthworks stipple bare slopes in China's Zizhou County, each intended to cradle a single sapling. Government mandated reforestation programs are intended to halt erosion,but many earlier efforts here in the Loess Plateau failed when newly planted trees died.

White-Water Detour High above dangerous rapids in Ora Cave, Herb Laeger traverses a slick limestone ledge. During their two-month expedition, the team explored some 8 miles (13 kilometers) of river caves, discovering waterfalls, lakes, and spectacular mineral formations. But they rarely saw the caves lit up like this-by a photographer's flash. Exploring the damp, dark world by headlamp, expedition leader David Gill says that most of the time "you're watching where you're putting your feet."

Arctic Skua Arctic skuas, also called parasitic jaegers, have a well-earned reputation as avian pirates, stealing much of their food from other birds. Skuas strike by attacking in midair and forcing their victims to drop their kills in flight. The swashbuckling birds sometimes team up to overwhelm their victims, and they are relentless in chasing down their adversaries.