Microscopic beauty: Prize-winning photos

5th place: "Cacoxenite (mineral) from La Paloma Mine, Spain (18x)"

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: Honorio Cocera-La Parra/ Nikon Small World