Playful pride of lions and the incredible power of an erupting volcano: Unforgettable moments captured in the 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

The 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest has reached the halfway point and editors have revealed some of their favorite submissions from the competition so far, as photographers from around the world show their unique view of people, places and wildlife.

National Geographic's diverse collection of images this year includes a look at de-horned rhinos that sport a 'new look' to save them from being poached as the situation reaches a crisis in South Africa, a creative portrait of a little curious burrowing owl, and a brown bear falling into a pool after losing its footing during the annual salmon run.

But animals aren't the only pictures that have swept judges away over the past two weeks, the Daily Mail reports.

Although a pride of lions playing with its mother's tale certainly makes for a thrilling spectacle and a crotalus mitchellii snake digesting prey is as fascinating as an optical illusion.

The photographs also offer a spectacular insight into humankind.

From a lesson in how to let loose by turning a shot of screaming upside-down amusement park-goers the right way up to a glimpse into the serious world of Indian Kuchipudi dancers getting ready backstage, photographers explain the story behind the frame in their uploads that could fetch the first-place entrant $5,000.

But the real prize is the invaluable exposure of the best photograph being featured on the publication's Instagram page.

With the competition stretching a full month and continuing until November 15, forthcoming entries will have to beat the likes of an authentic shepherd on the Carpathian mountains, nomadic herders – father and son - living at the Polar Urals, and people cleansing themselves in the ocean on a purification beach in Japan.

The use of charcoal to heat houses in the ancient city of Pingyao, China, shows a side rarely seen in pictures as the dust and soot turn the place extremely smoggy.

A jaw-dropping image of the Kilauea volcano erupting and causing thousands of gallons of lava to flow into the ocean is captured by Leighton Lum and more color comes in the form of a salt evaporation pond in Yucatan, Mexico where plankton, shrimps and roots of red plants make the water look pink.

Some of the photographs show nature at its most awesome with Australia's recognizable Twelve Apostles limestone stacks by Great Ocean Rd in Victoria glowing in the sunset and by contrast, the only way to avoid a blizzard on the Vologda mountain module.

The overall grand-prize winner will be announced in December.