Microscopic beauty: Prize-winning photos

17th place: "Stinging nettle trichome on leaf vein (100x)"

The Nikon International Small World photography contest shines a light on the very small. For decades, the contest has showcased the beauty of photomicrography -- photographs taken through a microscope. Out of 2,000 submissions, the contest chose twenty standouts to honor.

Credit: Charles Krebs/ Nikon Small World