Each year we ask our travelers to submit the best shots from their travels with us for a chance to be included in our calendar. This year we had so many great submissions that it was truly a challenge to narrow it down to these 13 winning shots. Thank you to everyone who submitted their photos and shared their stories with us.

[caption id="attachment_8249" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Cover by Todd Gustafson | Gustafson Photo Safari in Namibia[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]This photo was taken at Etosha, Namibia’s legendary game park. The sheer number of animal species and their intriguing behaviors make the park a dream for nature photographers. During one of our game drives, these baby elephants stopped to play for a moment while the herd traveled across the park in beautiful golden light. Each time I travel, I’m reminded how lucky I am to witness and photograph special moments like this one.[/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8252" align="aligncenter" width="550"] January by Eric Simon, Ph. D. in Peru[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]In January 2013, a group of 10 students and two professors from New England College in Henniker, NH traveled to the Peruvian Amazon. The second half of our journey was spent at the Amazon Research Center Lodge, about three hours upriver from Iquitos, Peru. After a day exploring the research grid and observing the abundant local wildlife, we returned to the lodge for dinner. Just before sunset, mist rolled along the river, creating this beautiful scene looking out from the main lodge to the canoe dock. The peace and tranquility of the region washed over us as we enjoyed our final night on the Amazon.[/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8251" align="aligncenter" width="550"] February by Chris Carille in Honduras[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]Honduras was one of the most memorable trips I’ve experienced. Holbrook Travel planned an amazing adventure exploring the ruins of Copan, hiking the rainforest of Pico Bonito National Park, whitewater rafting the Rio Congrejal, and snorkeling off the coast of Isla de Utila. This was only a couple weeks after the military coupe and yet the entire trip ran smoothly and we felt completely safe throughout. Every moment was spectacular, but one of my favorites was being able to see the spectacular wildlife. This Great Green Macaw (Ara ambuuguis) had the most brilliant plumage and really marked an incredible trip.[/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8255" align="aligncenter" width="550"] March by Emily Luks in Costa Rica[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]

While in Costa Rica, we visited the Sloth Sanctuary. I wished my life to be calm and relax and theirs is, but we know they also encounter extinction and mistreatment. These animals are loyal, true to their affections... Be kind to all creatures and your life will be whole.

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[caption id="attachment_8247" align="aligncenter" width="550"] April by Karen Hunt in Rwanda[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]

What they say about gorilla trekking is true. Words cannot express the heart-stopping thrill of being close to such magnificent animals. They climbed trees, played together, swung on branches, and lunched on vines, all within mere yards of us.
After this trip, I completely agree with John Heminway: “if I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.”

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[caption id="attachment_8256" align="aligncenter" width="550"] May by Israel Gonzalez in Mexico[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]

This photo captures the special moment between children and nature — a sub adult green turtle swims in its natural habitat, unafraid of its young admirers thanks to a long life without threat from humans. On this Road Scholar program, grandparents and grandchildren had opportunities to go snorkeling with whale sharks and sea turtles, zip-line through the jungle, and explore the ruins of ancient Maya civilizations.

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[caption id="attachment_8254" align="aligncenter" width="550"] June by Todd and Linda Smith in memory of Lindsey Lee Smith[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]

Lindsey Lee Smith lived a full life that included travel to 18 countries and 5 continents in her short 20 years with us. Her trips with Holbrook Travel in 2008 and 2010 with her favorite teacher (Trent Wenzel, geography) epitomized the type of interaction she wanted with the world. Lindsey loved to meet new people and experience new cultures. From eating worms in the Amazon (tasted like nuts!) to dancing in the streets of Cusco and even snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos, she soaked in the wonders of nature and history.
Her family hopes her love of adventure and fierce faith will inspire others to engage the world and seek out new adventures.

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[caption id="attachment_8253" align="aligncenter" width="550"] July by Becca Engdahl in the Galápagos Islands[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]An isolated archipelago, yet home to a massive array of peculiar wildlife, Galápagos is without a doubt one of the most fantastically bizarre places on earth. From the jagged, volcanic beaches covered in marine iguanas to the lush highlands dominated by giant tortoise, each island’s dramatic landscape and diverse variety of naturally tame wildlife is unique. Galápagos evokes within me a deep respect for the natural world, and a desire to protect wildlife and wild places, which I hope to share with others. Those who want to experience the fantastic complexity of nature should set sail for these enchanted islands![/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8248" align="aligncenter" width="550"] August by Dr. Brandy Anglen in Madagascar[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]

A group of biology and geology students from Fresno City College visits Isalo National Park in southern Madagascar. While the area is a dry savannah, many of the slot canyons contain lush, green oases of vegetation and crystal-clear streams. Madagascar and its numerous national parks are home to many species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.

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[caption id="attachment_8259" align="aligncenter" width="550"] September by John Earl Kneisler in Costa Rica[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]I took this photo of the Red-webbed Treefrog (Hypsiboas rufitelus) while attending the first Herpetological Symposium, held in September 2013 at Selva Verde Lodge. On a night hike I found it calling from a tree next at the frog pond, near the bungalows. There were two males calling about 10 meters apart. This was a new species for me to photograph at Selva Verde.[/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8258" align="aligncenter" width="550"] October by Dr. Bill Hilton Jr. in Central America[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]Since 2004, Holbrook Travel has collaborated with Dr. Bill Hilton Jr. on 22 expeditions to Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Through Operation RubyThroat, Hilton and tico guide Ernesto Carman Jr. are the only scientists studying Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (RTHU), Archilochus colubris, within their Central American wintering range. On each expedition, citizen scientists help capture and band RTHU for migrational studies. [/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8257" align="aligncenter" width="550"] November by Laura Hare in Guatemala & Belize[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]On Day 4 of the Belize Guatemala Multisport program, we visit Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage in the Guatemalan rainforest. Perhaps 100,000 Mayans lived at Tikal at its peak and when you visit this massive site it takes your breath away with the sheer beauty and immensity of the temples. On the way to the Grand Plaza you pass by many of the older temples, covered in moss and lichens. In this picture the group looks on as our guide, Julio Tot, stopped for a site lecture inside the pyramid to explain the Mayan construction.[/quote]

[caption id="attachment_8250" align="aligncenter" width="550"] December by Bill Richardson in Pantanal, Brazil[/caption]

[quote align="center" color="#999999"]This photo was taken on the Gustafson Photo Safari jaguar trip in Brazil. We stayed at a ranch before and after the jaguar house boat stay. At the ranch were many sugar water and seed feeders which attracted a variety of colorful birds, including toucans. We would get up before breakfast and photograph the birds as they swarmed the feeders. We were all shooting 500-600mm lens with flashes to even out the shadows.[/quote]
If you didn't receive a calendar and would like one please email marketing@holbrooktravel.com.

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