Below, a selection of images from the Nikon International Small World Photomicrography Competition, via http://digital-photography.wonderhowto.com.  See a related article at wired.com.

The competition began in 1974 as a means to recognize and applaud the efforts of those involved with photography through the light microscope. Peering into the small worlds of animal, plants and minerals using many techniques and different instruments, this year’s entries brought us images of crystalline formations, fluorescent body parts, cellular structures and more, valuable for both their beauty and insight.