Allison Scates

Stories from this author

In England’s Lake District, a wooden footbridge connects two rocky sides of a riverbank as mountains peek out from the fog in the distance.

See 15 Serene Scenes of the English Countryside

Quaint centuries-old villages dot the rural landscapes of the United Kingdom

Blue jeans poison dart frogs cannot be handled since their skin—not made of denim—is extremely toxic.  

See Fantastic Frogs in 15 Fun Photographs

Hop through these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

The Hollywood sign, an American landmark and cultural icon, overlooks the area and has inspired many to make their showbiz dreams a reality.  

15 Dazzling Photos That Celebrate the Sights (and Sites) of Los Angeles

These images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest show what makes the City of Angels and its next-door neighborhoods so heavenly

A hiker soaks up the scenery as the sun sets in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park in Sydney.

Take a Journey Down Under With These Amazing Photos of Australia

From the outback to the coasts, see 15 images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

A young girl puckers up to plant a kiss on a plastic Santa.  

Ho, Ho, Ho! 15 Festive Photos of Santa Claus to Get You Into the Christmas Spirit

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and ol’ St. Nick is spreading holiday cheer for all to hear

At dawn, a woman and her dog walk along a serene shore in the Corona Del Mar area of Newport Beach as gentle waves greet them.

See 15 Stunning Photos of California That Showcase the Golden State’s Majestic Beauty

California offers lovely beaches, forests, deserts, mountains and more!

A girl runs through sprinkles of water to cool off on a hot summer day.

See 15 Stunning Scenes of Summer

These highlights from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest will remind you of everything you love about the season