Rediscovering Our Natural Wonders

Steam rising from Lake Superior shrouds Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minn. The lake is one of more than 200 other spectacular places in the next phase of the global competition for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. (AP)

The photo shows Scotland's 23-mile long Loch Ness, home of the elusive monster, Nessie. In foreground is Urquhart Castle. It is also competing for a spot among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. A global poll that is expected to draw around a billion voters will determine the winners. (AP)

The Matterhorn's reflection is cast on Lake Riffelsa in Zermatt, Switzerland. There are 261 nominees from 222 countries around the world. (AP)

Elephants walk near Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain is competing among some of the most famous mountain peaks, lakes, national parks and reefs on earth. (AP)

In this picture, the Niagara Falls Fury, a attraction at Table Rock, in foreground at the Brink of the Horseshoe Falls on right, is seen in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The American Falls are on left. (AP)

The Rock of Gibraltar is illuminated at night in this photo. Choosing world wonders has been a continuing fascination over the centuries. UNESCO keeps updating its list of World Heritage Sites, which now totals 878 places. (AP)

People can be seen walking on the Skywalk during the First Walk event at the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai Indian Reservation at Grand Canyon West, Ariz. Over a billion people are expected to join in Internet voting that will nominate 77 semifinalists for the top natural wonders, which will share in the glory already enjoyed by the seven man-made wonders chosen 18 months ago. (AP)

A diver swims among the fish and corals of the Great Barrier Reef off of the coast of Australia. The Swiss-based nonprofit foundation collected 441 nominations over the Internet since it opened the selection process in 2007. (AP)

Members of the Chinese Mount Everest expedition team climb up to measure the height of the mountain in this May 2005 file photo. Votes can be cast until July 7. Registration on the Web site aims to prevent people from voting twice. (AP)