A VULTURE swooping gracefully above a jagged rock face in the Pyrenees and a cautious penguin taking shelter in South Africa are among a dazzling array of nature photos.
Also in the 50 images shortlisted in the Agoro photo contest, #Nature2020, is a perfectly poised chameleon, snaring a dragonfly in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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'Strike' by @georock888 - in Jakarta, Indonesia, a green and yellow coloured chameleon catches a dragonfly. The striking photograph shows the patient lizard balanced carefully in mid-air, with its tail wrapped around a plant, as its long tongue darts out to capture the unsuspecting insect on another nearby plantCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Penguin' by @curtjam- a penguin takes shelter in Cape Town, South Africa. These waddling birds are a big tourist attraction, particularly at Boulders Beach, outside Cape Town. Unfortunately they are under threat from the loss of habitat, over-development and dwindling food sourcesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Little bambi' by @jp.photoart - a cute and very nimble goat is pictured atop a mountain in Belluno, Italy. Belluno is an area known for its mountains, lakes and - as can be seen above - rocky mountainsidesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Nature' by @jordisark - Thailand has more than 40 waterfalls, including this one here, in Soi Ban Taling Ha. Although they are often slippery underfoot, they are a major attraction in Thailand - with some also close to temples and chanting monks, along with a plethora of wildlifeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Lightnings' by @swetun - lightning strikes over Hpa-An, Kayin, Myanmar. Ferocious lightning like this can often be seen during the monsoon season in Myanmar. Local media also reports that the start of the monsoon season also sees twisters and gale-force wind - at a time when farmers are starting to grow cropsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Miracle' by @reiko.t - A whale jumps next to a rainbow in South Africa. The photo competition called for international photographers to submit their best nature shots for a chance to win $1,000 - and the finalists include entries from 24 countriesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Follow the tracks' by @heisen22 - this furry red fox was spotted treading cautiously through the snow in Rausu, Japan, in search of prey. They live in town and urban areas, and are apparently keen on salmon. Folklore in Japan ascribes wisdom and powerful magic to foxes, according to tourist websitesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'The Island | Philippines' by @leemumford8 - El Nido has some of the most breathtaking scenery, says the snapper. It's known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral reefsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Early fog' by @caokynhan - fog over Lam Dong province, provides an eery image in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, hundreds of metres above sea levelCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'The grass snake sneaking through autumn leaves' by @maciejj - featuring a grass snake at Bialowieski National Park, eastern Poland. The park itself covers an area of 10,517ha and is also home to the Eurasian pygmy-owl, white-backed woodpecker and European bisonCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The open road is calling' by @thejosiah. Agora's Nature photo competition saw more than 11,000 submissions from photographers around the worldCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Burbujas que llevan atrapadas millones de anos' by @wmr.valdez - taken in Iceland. The large lake, J Kuls rl n, has been created from glaciersCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Yellow' by @achmadkamal92 - a Goldenrod Crab spider in Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia. The photo contest called for international photographers to submit their best nature shots for a chance to win $1,000 - and the finalists include entries from 24 countriesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Agora's competition finalists also include six British snappers, who submitted stunning nature shots taken in Iceland, Namibia, US, and Italy's Dolomites.
Brit photographer Matt Cannon submitted a striking photo of Kirkjufell Mountain in Iceland - used as a filming location for hit HBO TV show Game of Thrones.
He said: "I wanted to convey the scale and versatile landscape of Iceland, and, contrary to most people's perceptions of Iceland, how luscious and green the country can be in its summer months.
"When I think of nature, I think of vast green landscapes, waterfalls and how we are just one small part of nature as a whole."
They've been shortlisted from more than 11,000 submissions from photographers across the globe.
It is now up to Agora users to vote for their favourite finalists through the free-to-use app.
The winner will be announced on March 4.
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Big birds' by @nikopictures - this vulture flies gracefully above Bidarray, France. These birds of prey nest hereCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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'Let's Fly Together' by @myatzawhein - swans take flight in Pyinoolwin, MyanmarCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
