"National Geographic" is known for its loathsome travel diaries, gripping articles and, of course, its jaw-dropping photographs. The magazine has been publishing some of the best photographs ever taken for decades, and every year, the pictures just seem to get more and more enticing. The topics range from places to people to plants, but the themes that these photographs are able to convey are absolutely masterful. I have, with much difficulty, narrowed down 11 of the best "National Geographic" photographs ever taken (in no particular order.) Enjoy!

1. Colorful Chaos by Bence Mate

There's something about the calm of the three hummingbirds perched on the branch contrasted with the frenzy of those above it that is so appealing. Mate has perfectly captured the balance of life in nature.

2. The Temple of the Sun by Vladimir Kushnarev

This picture is so perfectly timed, the photographer must have been waiting for hours on end just to capture the exact moment when the sun rose. I'm not sure where this picture was taken, but wherever it is, that's where I want to be.

3. Under African Skies by Carey Nash

Taken in Ethiopia's Omo Valley, this Hamar woman and her son stand fearlessly with the solidarity of the African landscape enveloping them. Carey Nash noted that the Hamar woman, although looking fierce here, were very welcoming. There's something about this picture that reveals how tall she stands against the barren landscape behind her.

4. Weather the Storm by RJ Hooper

After waiting out a brutal storm that shook Utah's Zion National Park, Hooper was able to snap this perfect shot of a brilliant rainbow. To me, this picture doesn't look real. RJ Hooper got so lucky with this one.

5. Cracking the Surface by Alexey Trofimov

This photo was taken on Lake Baikal in Siberia, but it honestly doesn't look anything like a lake. Yeah, the photo is amazing, but what I'm wondering is how did Trafimov take the picture?

6. Cities by Takashi Nakagawa

This picture is so perfectly timed with both the reflection and the walking man. Nakagawa also noted that he had waited a long time for the picture, but, undoubtedly, he got a gem of a photograph.

7. Into the Deep by Gary Fua

This looks so dangerous but so thrilling at the same time. This was taken in Oregon, near Thor's Well, which makes sense, because this natural wonder is absolutely godly.

8. Between Land and Sea by Abrar Mohsin

I've always admired photographers' ability to take normal, everyday sightings and turn them into masterpieces. This is one of those admiration instances. I went to Dubai last summer, where this picture was taken, and all I got out of the trip was a sunburn and an overpriced trinket that could fit in my palm.

9. Planet Iceland by Sophie Carr

This photograph was taken at a volcanic beach in Iceland, and I think it's beautiful because you can see elements of both fire and water in this picture: water in the frothy black beaches and fire in the crimson sunset and mountains.

10. White Hot by Elliott Ross

This photo looks like it might have been taken in Antarctica, but it was actually shot on a sun-bleached afternoon in New Mexico. The perfectly symmetrical vehicle makes for such an aesthetically-appealing picture.

11. Overlooking Iraq from Iran by Yanan Li

This picture is probably the one with the deepest meaning behind it. These are school girls, who stopped for a small detour atop this war machine. They thought the stop was fun and took pictures atop the tank.

These are some of my favorite photographs done for "National Geographic." What are yours?