2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
First Place: Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
This series chronicles life inside North Korea. North Korean men and women participate in a mass dance on Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
North Korean men, women and soldiers walk, some pushing their bicycles past apartment blocks along Ryomyong street, a collection of more than a dozen apartment buildings on Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this Monday, June 19, 2017, photo, cashiers stand at their stations waiting to serve customers at the Potonggang department store in Pyongyang, North Korea. Three generations into Kim Jong Un's ruling dynasty, markets have blossomed and a consumer culture is taking root.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 photo, pedestrians and cyclists are reflected in the Pothong River as they cross a bridge at the start of their work day in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
North Koreans spend their holiday weekend at the indoor swimming pool of Munsu water park on Sunday, April 16, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea. A North Korean missile exploded during launch Sunday, U.S. and South Korean officials said, a high-profile failure that comes as a powerful U.S. aircraft supercarrier approaches the Korean Peninsula in a show of force.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Giant statues of late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are paraded across Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade on Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, photo, a North Korean woman working at the Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill looks up from her workstation in Pyongyang, North Korea. The silk mill, named after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's grandmother, is where 1,600 workers mostly women sort and process silkworms to produce silk thread that officials at the Pyongyang factory say is made into roughly 200 tons of silk a year.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Participants of the Pyongyang marathon wait at the start line on Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Hundreds of foreigners took to the streets of Pyongyang on Sunday for an annual marathon that has become one of the North Korean capital's most popular tourist events.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A man carries his daughter as they leave the Pyongyang Circus on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
North Korean school children perform at the Mangyongdae Children's Palace while an image of a space launch vehicle is projected on a screen on Friday, April 14, 2017, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Amid rising regional tensions, Pyongyang residents have been preparing for North Korea's most important holiday: the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this Wednesday, April 12, 2017, photo, waitresses wait outside a restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea. A generational divide is quietly growing in North Korea, often hidden behind relentless propaganda. On the streets there are young women in not-quite mini-skirts and teenage boys with baseball hats cocked sideways, K-pop style.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
First Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this Sunday, April 16, 2017, photo, a North Korean family pose for a family portrait at a flower festival as part of celebrations for the 105th birth anniversary of their late leader Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea. Tensions have spiked in recent weeks over North Korea's advancing nuclear technology and missile arsenal. But in Pyongyang, where war would mean untold horrors, where neighborhoods could be reduced to rubble and tens of thousands of civilians could be killed, few people seem to care much at all.
Maye-E Wong / Associated Press
Second Place: David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Dozens of counties across the country voted Republican for the first time in decades suggesting there was something about Trump specifically that spoke to those voters in a way no Republican had before. Ultimately, they were the people and places that handed him the presidency. While many voters talked about wanting change," the issues that were crucial to those voters vary from county to county. President Donald Trump is sworn in during a live broadcast of the inauguration as Denny Riebe, from right, Doug Dickman, Scott Reilly, and Bill Winter, play cards at the Sawmill Saloon in Prairie du Chien, Wisc., Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. So many voters switched from blue to red in fifty counties stretching 300 miles down the Mississippi River, through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, that it transformed in one election season into Trump Country.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Lewiston city council member Tim Lajoie is reflected in a frame displaying American Revolution paraphernalia as he looks out his window at his home in Lewiston, Maine, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. "The mills moved out in the 80s and we've had this struggle to recover economically," said Lajoie, who voted for Trump. "We're trying to find our footing I think. Trying to find out what we look like, what's our identity."
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
David Lovewell, 59, gestures as compares the emptiness of the parking lot at the paper mill compared to when he worked there a few years ago in Jay, Maine, Friday, March 17, 2017. Look at this parking lot. Its just amazing. At this time of day this parking lot was absolutely full: thats people, that's jobs, thats families," said Lovewell who voted for Trump. To hear friends and colleagues that are leaving, walking out the last time at 40 or 50 years old. What do you do? Its scary." Thousands have lost jobs in the mills in the last decade, as the paper industry plummeted.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Hilton Kelley tosses his petition clipboard in frustration as he's turned away from a renter who was told by her landlord not to get involved in Kelley's attempt to shutdown the dump across the street piled with flood damaged debris in Port Arthur, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. This is an outrage. This is appalling. Theres no way this should have happened," said Kelly of the dump's proximity to people's homes. He worried about mold and other contaminants from the garbage getting into the low-income African American neighborhood. These are the neighborhoods, he said, that often pay the price for environmental pollution. This historically Democratic county, home to a quarter-million people, is among the low-lying coastal areas that stand the most to lose as the ice caps melt and the seas warm and rise. Yet in November, voters flipped to vote for President Donald Trump, the first Republican they chose in 44 years, who has dismissed the concept of climate change as a hoax perpetrated by China.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A woman wearing a khimar, a traditional muslim head covering, leaves after shopping at one of the many stores downtown owned by Somali immigrants who have settled in Lewiston, Maine, Friday, March 17, 2017. Last August, candidate Donald Trump stood on a stage in Portland and singled out the Somali community as criminal. The police chief quickly refuted the charge as false, crime has decreased in Lewiston since the refugees arrived, but it continues to linger in the minds of many.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Mary Stuckey, who owns the only market in town with her husband, waits for customers in Wauzeka, Wisc., Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. The mom-and-pop grocery store has been a fixture in the community for more than 100 years. But the owners -- who hope to retire and have had the store on the real estate market for a few years with no takers -- say business has slowed, partly because residents are willing to travel longer distances to shop at grocery and big box stores in Prairie du Chien. The county is one of dozens in middle America that switched from blue to red in November, but these Trump voters arent looking for changes on immigration or refugees and if promises of an economic renaissance arent fulfilled, they warn that Trump could be out four years from now.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Wayne Christopher, who voted for Trump, walks through the damaged sanctuary of the church hed attended his whole life following Hurricane Harvey in Port Arthur, Texas, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. In the weeks since Hurricane Harvey devastated Jefferson County, Texas, and as other monstrous storms pummeled Florida and Puerto Rico, some here found themselves in quiet moments pondering what has become some of the most polarizing questions in American political discourse: have human beings altered the earth so profoundly it is making bad storms more brutal? And what should we do about it now?
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Wayne Christopher stands for a portrait as a stained glass window is reflected in his glasses in the damaged sanctuary of the church he'd attended his whole life following Hurricane Harvey in Port Arthur, Texas, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. Hes not too up on global warming, and thats a shame, Christopher said of the president he supported in November, and supports still. He also believes in the consensus among scientists that climate change is real and that this disastrous run of weather, from droughts in the west to wildfires to catastrophic hurricanes along the coasts, is a preview of the future if the country doesnt begin to take the problem seriously.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Greg Gunner, left, kisses his grandmother Mabel Bishop, 99, stricken with Alzheimers disease, in their home that was damaged by Hurricane Harvey in Port Arthur, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Gunner carried his grandmother out of the house as the floodwaters rose; telling her they were going fishing to try to keep her calm. He voted for Hillary Clinton in November, and says the countrys political divides have left him with little faith in the governments ability to get things done. But he believes the storm that wrecked his town is a preview of what global warming will bring if the nations divided political sides dont find common ground to address it. The intensity of the destruction taking place these days, theres something going on. I think its a wake-up call, to say, hey, whats important? Whats really important? he said. Are you going to work together, or are you going to pull each other apart?
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Former NFL football player Vonta Leach, left, who voted for Clinton, gets his haircut next to Jamie Locklear, who voted for Trump at a barbershop in Lumberton, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. Robeson Countym which flipped for Trump, is the most racially diverse rural county in the country made up by roughly 40 percent Native American, 30 percent white and 25 percent black.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A cardboard cutout of President Donald Trump sits in a window as pedestrians notice it from below in McGregor, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. Fifty counties stretching 300 miles down the Mississippi River, through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, switched from blue to red in November and transformed in one election season into Trump Country.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Second Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
An ice fisherman walks out on a frozen portion of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien, Wisc., Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. Here in Crawford County, residents often recite two facts about their hometown, the first one proudly: It is the second-oldest community in the state. The next is that its also one of the poorest. There are no rusted-out manufacturing plants to embody this discontent. The downtown main street bustles with tourists come summer. Just a few vacant storefronts hint at the seething resentment that life still seems harder here than it should.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Third Place: Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A year ago the 140-year old Buenos Aires zoo closed its doors and was transformed into a park. Conservationists complain that a year after the transformation from zoo to park, the remaining animals still live in antiquated enclosures widely considered inhumane by modern standards. A year after the zoo closed its doors and was transformed into a park, hundreds of animals remain behind bars and in a noisy limbo. Developers last July promised to relocate most of the zoo's animals to sanctuaries in Argentina and abroad, but they had made no firm arrangements to do so. In this July 5, 2016 photo, a tapir rests its hooves on the edge of an opening of an enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this May 12, 2017 photo, Pupy, an African elephant, stands in the doorway of his enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The first director decided that the animals should be housed in buildings that reflected their countries of origin. A replica of a Hindu temple was built for the Asian elephants.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this July 8, 2016 photo, a young baboon clings to its mother in their enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this July 2, 2016 photo, Shaki, from left to right, Ciro and Buddy, look out from their giraffe enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this May 12, 2017 photo, a lone mandril sits inside an enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta announced its closure last year, he said the animals were a "treasure" that couldn't remain in captivity near the noise and pollution. But not a single animal owned by the city has been transferred.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this May 12, 2017 photo, peafowls feed on ground grains at the former city zoo, now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this May 12, 2017 photo, African elephant Pupy lies on a patch of mud at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The three elephants residing at Eco Parque, Mara, Pupy and Cucy, have a lawyer representing them to demand better conditions.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this July 5, 2016 photo, a chimpanzee uses ropes to navigate in an enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many of the animals at Eco Parque are so zoo-trained that experts fear they would die if moved, even to wild animal preserves.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this July 15, 2016 photo, Sandra, the orangutan, walks in her enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sandra became known worldwide when an Argentine court issued a landmark ruling in 2014 that she was entitled to some of the legal rights enjoyed by humans. She's no longer on display for curious visitors.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this May 12, 2017 photo, Guille, the hippopotamus, wades in a pool of water in her enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this July 7, 2016 photo, a vicuna stands in an enclosure at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Third Place - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
In this July 15, 2016 photo, Cleo, a female white tiger, jumps on the safety glass of her enclosure reacting to painters working on an improvement project, at the former city zoo now known as Eco Parque, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press
Honorable Mention: Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Antonio Alarcon and his father also called Antonio, ride the herds on the transhumant winter migration made by foot with the cattle. They have 550 sheeps and more than 200 km to walk in 7 days between Castril (Granada) and Las Navas de San Juan (Jaen). Every 6 months, they have to change the place to live, looking for the best grass in winter and summer. In Castril they have their home, and in Las Navas de San Juan, they spend the whole winter due to the best quality of the grass. They are one of the little famillies that still remain working as nomad shepherds in Spain. Spain is the only country that maintains a network of historic paths that exceed 125,000 km. The origin of many of these ways, some of them with more than 8,000 years of history, is on the migrations that have historically made nomadic shepherds. Until the early nineteenth century, 5 million of head of cattle roamed these corridors of biodiversity. Today transhumance in Spain is threatened due to the scarcity of public aid and generational relief difficult. Just represented by about 100 families who handle about 200,000 head of cattle through 50,000 miles of streams and cattle trails. Transhumance, threatened by the new agricultural policy of the European Union and the legal obstacles, for many naturalists and conservationists represents the possibility of generating 5,000 direct jobs and contribute to important conservation of biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage manner. 1000 sheep or 100 cows generate daily 3 tons of manure and over 5 million of seeds of which 30% end germinating. One option for sustainable development which is also a heritage from oblivion for many towns and rural areas of Spain.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Antonio Alarcon and his father also called Antonio, ride the herds on the transhumant winter migration made by foot with the cattle. They have 550 sheeps and more than 200 km to walk in 7 days between Castril (Granada) and Las Navas de San Juan (Jaen). Every 6 months, they have to change the place to live, looking for the best grass in winter and summer. In Castril they have their home, and in Las Navas de San Juan, they spend the whole winter due to the best quality of the grass. They are one of the little famillies that still remain working as nomad shepherds in Spain. Spain is the only country that maintains a network of historic paths that exceed 125,000 km. The origin of many of these ways, some of them with more than 8,000 years of history, is on the migrations that have historically made nomadic shepherds. Until the early nineteenth century, 5 million of head of cattle roamed these corridors of biodiversity. Today transhumance in Spain is threatened due to the scarcity of public aid and generational relief difficult. Just represented by about 100 families who handle about 200,000 head of cattle through 50,000 miles of streams and cattle trails. Transhumance, threatened by the new agricultural policy of the European Union and the legal obstacles, for many naturalists and conservationists represents the possibility of generating 5,000 direct jobs and contribute to important conservation of biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage manner. 1000 sheep or 100 cows generate daily 3 tons of manure and over 5 million of seeds of which 30% end germinating. One option for sustainable development which is also a heritage from oblivion for many towns and rural areas of Spain.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Maria Franco, Antonio`s wife, accompany her husband at every migration. She help with the food and cook for the family everyday on the forest. Her son Daniel drives the car and go with her in advance to the places where they will pass the night, sleeping on the forest. Both give support by road to her husband and other son, named Antonio as well.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Antonio Alarcon and his father also called Antonio, ride the herds on the transhumant winter migration made by foot with the cattle. They have 550 sheeps and more than 200 km to walk in 7 days between Castril (Granada) and Las Navas de San Juan (Jaen). Every 6 months, they have to change the place to live, looking for the best grass in winter and summer. In Castril they have their home, and in Las Navas de San Juan, they spend the whole winter due to the best quality of the grass. They are one of the little famillies that still remain working as nomad shepherds in Spain. Spain is the only country that maintains a network of historic paths that exceed 125,000 km. The origin of many of these ways, some of them with more than 8,000 years of history, is on the migrations that have historically made nomadic shepherds. Until the early nineteenth century, 5 million of head of cattle roamed these corridors of biodiversity. Today transhumance in Spain is threatened due to the scarcity of public aid and generational relief difficult. Just represented by about 100 families who handle about 200,000 head of cattle through 50,000 miles of streams and cattle trails. Transhumance, threatened by the new agricultural policy of the European Union and the legal obstacles, for many naturalists and conservationists represents the possibility of generating 5,000 direct jobs and contribute to important conservation of biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage manner. 1000 sheep or 100 cows generate daily 3 tons of manure and over 5 million of seeds of which 30% end germinating. One option for sustainable development which is also a heritage from oblivion for many towns and rural areas of Spain.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Horses are very valuable tools to ride the cattle. Belenchon family, uses 16 horses during the whole trip in order to help the family to take control of the animals. Every day nomad shepherds walk Long distances of over 25 km.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A dog lay close a forgotten tomb on the middle of the Caada Real in Tomelloso (Ciudad Real).
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Carlos and his son Alberto stay close to the fire on the cold night after the dinner. Orion constelation remain on the top of the dark sky. Orion on the Greek Mythology was a brave warrior and shepherd, owner of two dors<. Canis majoris and canis minoris. The tents are ready for sleeping around the fire. On the cold nights on winter fire is the only way to keep warm and dry. Spain is the only country that maintains a network of historic paths that exceed 125,000 km. The origin of many of these ways, some of them with more than 8,000 years of history, is on the migrations that have historically made nomadic shepherds. Until the early nineteenth century, 5 million of head of cattle roamed these corridors of biodiversity. Today transhumance in Spain is threatened due to the scarcity of public aid and generational relief difficult. Just represented by about 50 families who handle about 200,000 head of cattle through 50,000 miles of streams and cattle trails. Transhumance, threatened by the new agricultural policy of the European Union and the legal obstacles, for many naturalists and conservationists represents the possibility of generating 5,000 direct jobs and contribute to important conservation of biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage manner. 1000 sheep or 100 cows generate daily 3 tons of manure and over 5 million of seeds of which 30% end germinating. One option for sustainable development which is also a heritage from oblivion for many towns and rural areas of Spain. The Belenchn family travels for many years 500 km between Guadalaviar (Teruel) La Carolina (Jan) on a walking trip that lasts 28 days. With more than 3,000 sheep, 300 cows, 23 dogs and 16 horses, most are grandchildren, children and parents of trashumants. Down south in winter pasture looking abundance and benevolence of the weather. In La Carolina they will live between December and May before starting the migration again return to Teruel in June, when the heat in Andalusia depleted past
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Andres B. is quite tired after the stage of 20 km by foot . On the nights, after the diner, shepherds go to sleep at the early night because the hardness of the everyday walk on the worst weather conditions. Spain is the only country that maintains a network of historic paths that exceed 125,000 km. The origin of many of these ways, some of them with more than 8,000 years of history, is on the migrations that have historically made nomadic shepherds. Until the early nineteenth century, 5 million of head of cattle roamed these corridors of biodiversity. Today transhumance in Spain is threatened due to the scarcity of public aid and generational relief difficult. Just represented by about 50 families who handle about 200,000 head of cattle through 50,000 miles of streams and cattle trails. Transhumance, threatened by the new agricultural policy of the European Union and the legal obstacles, for many naturalists and conservationists represents the possibility of generating 5,000 direct jobs and contribute to important conservation of biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage manner. 1000 sheep or 100 cows generate daily 3 tons of manure and over 5 million of seeds of which 30% end germinating. One option for sustainable development which is also a heritage from oblivion for many towns and rural areas of Spain. The Belenchn family travels for many years 500 km between Guadalaviar (Teruel) La Carolina (Jan) on a walking trip that lasts 28 days. With more than 3,000 sheep, 300 cows, 23 dogs and 16 horses, most are grandchildren, children and parents of trashumants. Down south in winter pasture looking abundance and benevolence of the weather. In La Carolina they will live between December and May before starting the migration again return to Teruel in June, when the heat in Andalusia depleted pastures and dry terrain. / Espaa es el nico pas del mundo que conserva una red de caminos histricos que superan los 125.000 km. El origen de muchos de estos caminos, a
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Maria Franco and his husband Antonio light fire on the forest at the early morning to keep warm despite to freezing winter temperatures. During week migration, the family live on nomadic conditions, using tents and cooking on fire, everyday in a different place until reach their final destiny: A rented farm at Las navas de San Juan, where they will remain until June.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Maria Rodriguez wake up very early during the trashumance. Rain, ice and wind are common to find during the way on winter. She is making the way since she was married with Andres, a farmer from Guadalaviar (Teruel). Maria is 52 years old and come from La Carolina (Jaen). Spain is the only country that maintains a network of historic paths that exceed 125,000 km. The origin of many of these ways, some of them with more than 8,000 years of history, is on the migrations that have historically made nomadic shepherds. Until the early nineteenth century, 5 million of head of cattle roamed these corridors of biodiversity. Today transhumance in Spain is threatened due to the scarcity of public aid and generational relief difficult. Just represented by about 50 families who handle about 200,000 head of cattle through 50,000 miles of streams and cattle trails. Transhumance, threatened by the new agricultural policy of the European Union and the legal obstacles, for many naturalists and conservationists represents the possibility of generating 5,000 direct jobs and contribute to important conservation of biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage manner. 1000 sheep or 100 cows generate daily 3 tons of manure and over 5 million of seeds of which 30% end germinating. One option for sustainable development which is also a heritage from oblivion for many towns and rural areas of Spain. The Belenchn family travels for many years 500 km between Guadalaviar (Teruel) La Carolina (Jan) on a walking trip that lasts 28 days. With more than 3,000 sheep, 300 cows, 23 dogs and 16 horses, most are grandchildren, children and parents of trashumants. Down south in winter pasture looking abundance and benevolence of the weather. In La Carolina they will live between December and May before starting the migration again return to Teruel in June, when the heat in Andalusia depleted pastures and dry terrain. / Espaa es el nico pas del mundo que conserva una red de caminos histricos que
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Antonio Alarcon and his two sons Daniel and Antonio, take the horses to prepare them at the early morning on the place very close to beda, where they could keep the herd for one night during their migration. Every day the start to walk at 7
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Alarcon's herd follow the migration across Cazorla mountains. Almost 600 sheeps follow the cattle trails looking for grass. Due to winter conditions, rain and fog appear frequently on the cold mornings.
Susana Giron
Honorable Mention: David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A block of sea ice floats in the Victoria Strait in the wake of the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it sails the Arctic's Northwest Passage, Friday, July 21, 2017.If parts of the planet are becoming like a furnace because of global warming, then the Arctic is best described as the worlds air-conditioning unit. The frozen north plays a crucial role in cooling the rest of the planet while reflecting some of the suns heat back into space. Yet for several decades, satellite pictures have shown a dramatic decline in Arctic sea ice that is already affecting the lives of humans and animals in the region. Experts predict that the impact of melting sea ice will be felt across the northern hemisphere, altering ocean currents and causing freak weather as far south as Florida or France.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
The Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica casts a shadow on the ice while traversing the Northwest Passage through the Victoria Strait in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Friday, July 21, 2017. Once the ship entered the fabled Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and the Pacific, there would be nowhere to stop for supplies, no port to shelter in and no help for hundreds of miles if things went wrong. A change in the weather might cause the mercury to drop suddenly or push the polar pack into the Canadian Archipelago, creating a sea of rock-hard ice.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Nigel Greenwood, assistant ice navigator, looks out at the ice from the bridge while standing watch overnight aboard the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it traverses the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Friday, July 21, 2017. Modern mariners can get daily satellite snapshots of the ice and precise GPS locations that help them dodge dangerous shallows. But technology can be fickle. After two weeks at sea the ships fragile internet connection went down for six days: no emails, no Google, no new satellite pictures to preview the route ahead.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Trainee Maatiusi Manning, from left, field biologist Paula von Weller, assistant ice navigator Nigel Greenwood, and Ice navigator, David Duke Snider, look out for signs of wildlife aboard the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it traverses the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Saturday, July 22, 2017. Scientists believe there is no way to reverse the decline in Arctic sea ice in the foreseeable future. Even in the best-case scenario envisaged by the 2015 Paris climate accord, sea ice will largely vanish from the Arctic during the summer within the coming decades.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A polar bear stands on the ice in the Franklin Strait in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Saturday, July 22, 2017. Population counts of polar bears are notoriously difficult and researchers are unsure how much their numbers have changed in recent years. But the Fish and Wildlife Service warned that melting sea ice is robbing the bear of its natural hunting ground for seals and other prey.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A drop of water falls off an iceberg melting in the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord near Nuuk in southwestern Greenland, Tuesday Aug. 1, 2017. The iceberg calved off a glacier from the Greenland ice sheet, the second largest body of ice in the world which covers roughly 80 percent of the country. Greenland's glaciers have been melting and retreating at an accelerated pace in recent years due to warmer temperatures. If all of that ice melts, sea levels will rise by several meters, though there will be regional differences.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Researchers Tiina Jaaskelainen, right, and Daria Gritsenko do yoga in the warm weather aboard the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it sails the Bering Sea to traverse the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Thursday, July 13, 2017. Researchers on the trip sought to observe the changes taking place in the region first hand, to gain a clearer picture of the effects of global warming already seen from space.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Researcher Daria Gritsenko, 30, of the University of Helsinki, sits for a portrait in her cabin aboard the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as the ship sails north in the Bering Sea toward the Arctic, Thursday, July 13, 2017. Gritsenko is hoping to learn more about the Northwest Passage to aid her work in energy development in the Arctic. Gritsenko, is making her first transit through the passage but has been to Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic. "I love the Arctic. It's such a powerful nature that I felt so little in comparison," she said. "It makes you realize how much of dust you are on this planet. It's very intimidating but I felt very calm inside."
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Broken blocks of sea ice emerge from under the hull of the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it sails through the Victoria Strait while traversing the Arctic's Northwest Passage, Friday, July 21, 2017. Sea ice forms when the top layer of water reaches freezing point, usually around the start of October. As temperatures continue to fall this first-year ice grows downward until it is several feet thick. If the ice survives the following summer melt it becomes second-year ice. Another cycle and it becomes multi-year ice, which is the toughest kind.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
The bow of the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica drives through sea ice as it sails the Victoria Strait while traversing the Arctic's Northwest Passage, Friday, July 21, 2017. The MSV Nordica is equipped with several heavy-duty engines and a hardened bow and hull that allow it either to drive through thin layers of ice or to crush thicker sheets by rising onto the ice with the help of its rounded hull. The ships massive weight breaks the ice from above.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A humpback whale dives while swimming in the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord near Nuuk in southwestern Greenland, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017. People are so far removed from the Arctic that they dont understand it, they dont know it and they dont love it, said Paula von Weller, a field biologist. I think its important for people to see whats here and to fall in love with it and have a bond and want to protect it.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A path in the ice is left in the wake of the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica as it traverses the Northwest Passage through the Franklin Strait in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Saturday, July 22, 2017. Canadian ice navigator, David Duke Snider recalled that when he started guiding ships through Arctic waters more than 30 years ago, the ice pack in mid-July would have stretched 50 miles farther southwest. Back then a ship would also have encountered much thicker, blueish ice that had survived several summer melts, becoming hard as concrete in the process, he said.
David Goldman / Associated Press
Honorable Mention: Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
People connect to the internet at a hotspot in Havana, Cuba, February 3, 2017. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE STORY: "CUBA HOTSPOTS" At dusk, when the worst of the Caribbean heat has subsided, parks around Cuba fill with families video chatting with loved ones abroad or scrolling through social media, their animated faces lit by telephone and tablet screens. They have waited the whole day for this moment. The introduction of state run Wi-Fi hotspots in Cuban public spaces two years ago has transformed the Communist-run island that had been mostly offline. Cubans who can afford pre-paid scratch cards allowing Wi-Fi access flock to 432 outdoor hotspots where they brave ants, mosquitoes and the elements. Here they laugh, cry, shout, and whisper, or those who can, get into cars for some privacy.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Gabriela Monteiro (R), 16, and Gisele Rodriguez, 15, use the internet at a hotspot in Havana, Cuba, September 12, 2016.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
People connect to the internet at a hotspot in Havana, Cuba, January 19, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A man connects to an internet hotspot at the sea front at the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, August 4, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
People make a video call inside a car at an internet hotspot in Havana, Cuba, August 5, 2017. The dome light is on to provide better lighting for the video call.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Dancers use an internet hotspot before performing at the Carnival of Havana, Cuba, August 18, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
People connect to the internet at a hotspot in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, May 4, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A man connects to an internet hotspot at the sea front at the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, August 4, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
A woman talks to people via Internet at a hotspot Internet in Havana, Cuba, October 19, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Doctor Alejandro Soto stands with his dog Coco as he connects to an internet hotspot in Havana, Cuba, August 16, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
Tourist guide Daniel Hernandez, 26, sits over his Russian made car as he speaks to his girlfriend who lives in Britain at a hotspot Internet in Havana, Cuba, September 24, 2017.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
Honorable Mention - 2017 Feature Picture Story/Essay
People connect to the internet at a hotspot in Regla, Cuba, November 19, 2015.
Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters