These Are the Most Inspiring Nature Photographs of 2016

Today is the eleventh anniversary of Nature Photography Day. The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) designated the day as a time to "promote the enjoyment of nature photography, and to explain how images have been used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes locally and worldwide."

Here, we present a selection of the best nature photographs from NANPA members submitted in 2016.