The 12 most inspiring travel photos this week

EACH WEEK WE CHOOSE OUR favorite images from readers, fans, and travelers, who tag their photos with #travelstoke and post them on our Instagram account. These pictures provide a daily dose of inspiration, and challenge us to photograph the world in innovative ways.

Here’s this weeks editors’ picks of people finding some serious #travelstoke:

1. Orcas chase herring at sunset, Norway

Orcas chase a huge ball of herring under the everlasting #sunset of #Norway. I know that I promised bears all week but thought it would be fun to throw in another image of the most amazing animals I have ever gone swimming with. Please follow @cristinamittermeier and I on @sea_legacy as we turn our cameras towards the most important marine issues we face today. #gratitude #nature #wildlife #climatechange @natgeo @seacam @waterproofinternational

A photo posted by Paul Nicklen (@paulnicklen) on Aug 15, 2015 at 1:48pm PDT

2. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

https://instagram.com/p/6iViR1Pagn/?taken-by=hannes_becker

3. Kauai, Hawaii

https://instagram.com/p/61ZfhESiki/?taken-by=chelseakauai

4. Cove Palisades State Park, Oregon, United States

Never lose your sense of wonder. You may even find a waterfall of stars flowing out of the Milky Way // headlamp pro – @morethanlyme

A photo posted by Adam McKibben (@adammckibben) on Aug 25, 2015 at 5:06pm PDT

5. Ahu Tongariki on Easter Island, Chile

Mo‘ai at Ahu Tongariki. Carved by the Rapa Nui people on the Chilean Polynesian island of Easter Island / Isla de Pascua #moai #ahutongariki #rapanui #isladepascua #easterisland #polynesia #chile

A photo posted by Michael McWilliams (@mcwilliams.ca) on Aug 11, 2015 at 4:17pm PDT

6. Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Homeward bound.

A photo posted by ChrisBurkard (@chrisburkard) on Aug 30, 2015 at 9:47pm PDT

7. Pioneer Basin Lakes, Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Lakes, California, United States

https://instagram.com/p/6yOKJqrmp5/?taken-by=fotochoa

8. The dunes of Moon Valley, Chile

The wonderfully talented National Geographic Traveller wordsmith, @MichelleHespe, running around the dunes of #MoonValley like a kid in a Candy Shop! @ChileTravel NatGeoTraveller.com.au

A photo posted by Matt Glastonbury (@mattglastonbury) on Aug 22, 2015 at 12:59pm PDT

9. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California, United States

Always chasing the light. Missing this inspirational fellow. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California.

A photo posted by Shane Black (@shanemichaelblack) on Aug 1, 2015 at 8:40pm PDT

10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Around the world with me – Rio de Janeiro – Brazil * *************** Fabulous & Unique Sunset View of Rio ( 2 Brothers Hill & Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon) from the the Cantagalo Favela. Tag who you'd travel to Rio with *

A photo posted by Claudio Bezerra (@cbezerraphotos) on Aug 13, 2015 at 5:07am PDT

11. Hopi Point, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

https://instagram.com/p/6-VsffnT0c/?taken-by=photobohemian

12. Ice crystals, Iceland

We hope you guys are having an awesome weekend. Cheers!

A photo posted by Iurie Belegurschi Photography (@iuriebelegurschi) on Aug 29, 2015 at 7:42am PDT