The 2014 Sony World Photography Awards recently announced its shortlist of images from nearly 140,000 entries. Check out some of these highlights from the pro, open and youth categories -- with captions from the photographers.

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/4-sony-...st-140206-.jpg
A hunter rests on the plains (in) Western Mongolia with his eagle.

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1-sony-...st-140206-.jpg
This is a very special cenote that during certain parts of the year develops a layer in the surface that enhances its mysterious aura. Also very peculiar are the tiny fishes found hidden in the water plants.


http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/2-sony-...st-140206-.jpg
In July each year, this heart-pounding scene of wildebeests migration repeats itself in Kenya.

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/5-sony-...st-140206-.jpg
A knight and his steed: a tropical capture in Costa Rica



http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/9-sony-...st-140206-.jpg

A girl celebrates at the Kubana open-air festival that took place in 2013 near the city of Anapa, Russia

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/10-sony...st-140206-.jpg
The flask‐shaped pitcher‐plant (Nepenthes ampullaria) has pitchers which are not covered by a lid, like most others. The enzymatic setup of its digestive fluid shows that it digests plant matter best, mostly fallen leaf litter, so that one could call this pitcher plant a vegetarian