Top 40 Photos

Mark Pardew / Reuters

A firefighter gives water to a koala during the devastating Black Saturday bushfires that burned across Victoria, Australia, in 2009.

I picked this photo because I love animals, and when someone has a unique experience with animals it makes it stand out in my mind. The photographer took the photo at a good angle that best shows this touching moment. I think it made the top 40 because people are drawn to pictures that have a touching story.

projects.ajc.com / Via polichicksonline.com (photographer unknown)

Terri Gurrola is reunited with her daughter after serving in Iraq for 7 months.

I picked this photo because there is lots of emotion in the picture.  The photographer took a good photo because they were there at the right moment. The background contrasts the subject of the photo very well. I think this photo made the top 40 because the photo gives off a very strong emotion and people know how hard it is for soldiers to fight for our country and leave there loved ones behind.

Vanderlei Almeida / Getty images

A dog named “Leao” sits for a second consecutive day at the grave of her owner, who died in the disastrous landslides near Rio de Janiero on January 15, 2011.

I picked this photo because I have dogs of my own, and the bond shared between a owner and a dog is very special, and this photo proves that. The photographer took a good photo because the background is very still and peaceful but the land is dirty. I think this photo made the top 40 because the dog looks as if its waiting for its owner to return, but also the graves are all dug but only one filled and that make the picture different.