Birds, beasts, and a magical moment or two—all scenes that came across the Photo of the Day transom in May. With the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest in full swing and the ongoing contributions to our Your Shot photo community, there were many compelling images to choose from. Here are a selection of my favorites. Enjoy!

Every spring, melting snow creates a dreamscape in Tragöss, Austria. Green Lake, which for most of the year is no more than six feet deep, expands with the inflow of snowmelt, swallowing part of the park that surrounds it: trees, hiking trails, benches, bridges, and all. The lake’s depth reaches some 30 feet and provides a unique experience for