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Photos

A rarely seen whiplash squid swims more than 3,500 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

See Ten Strange and Mesmerizing Creatures From the Deep Ocean, From Sea Toads to Frilled Sharks

Scientists who explore the depths using submersibles continue to discover amazing animals that inhabit dark waters

Partially submerged trees are reflected in the waters of a dam lake.

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Honor the Natural Beauty of These Tremendous Trees With 15 Photographs From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Find your inner Lorax and enjoy the glory of the forest and the trees in these submissions

Formerly a royal residence, the Louvre Palace is now home to one of the world’s most famous museums.  

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See 15 Picturesque Views of Paris

France’s charming capital city welcomes the 2024 Summer Olympic Games

Few things personify cool like a shades-wearing instrumentalist masterfully commanding the saxophone.

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These 15 Groovy Photos Capture the Joy of Music

Musical instruments have existed for eons, and humans continue to create and enjoy them

With their distinct shape, hammerheads are among the most recognizable sharks.

20 Shark Week Photos That Will Terrify and Delight You This Summer

In a collection pulled from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest, catch a wave with these predators of the sea

Making a U-turn is more fun when traveling the Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park.

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Explore the Great Outdoors With Photography From U.S. National Parks

Travel the country’s beautiful natural wonders from home with these breathtaking highlights from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

A decades-old embargo on cars and other goods meant Cubans had to refurbish vehicles built in the 1950s or before, turning Cuba into a classic car haven.

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Get Your Motor Running With These Cool Cars

See 15 awesome automobiles from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Otters in the Aleutian Archipelago, the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

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You Ought to See These Otters

View 15 outstanding otter images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Four lionesses enjoy a drink at a watering hole after a recent rain.

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Get a Taste of South Africa Through These 15 Photos of Stunning Wildlife and Vibrant Communities

From desert landscapes to glittering beaches, see what this country has to offer

Rosy cheeks and warm garments are reasons to smile for this mother-daughter duo.

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Celebrate Moms This Sunday and Every Day With Moving Photos of Motherhood

This Mother’s Day, these shots from around the world remind us why they’re so special

A hawksbill sea turtle munches away on a sponge near Juno Beach.

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Journey Under the Sea With 15 Amazing Photos of Marine Life

These Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest images feature the captivating creatures that live beneath the waves

A close-up of blooming blossoms captures their stunning detail.

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Behold 15 Beautiful Photos of Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

These 15 picture-perfect cherry blossom images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest are pretty in pink

In this village, monks-in-training wearing brightly colored garments carry shoulder yokes through fields of rice.

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Take a Trip to Thailand With These Smithsonian Photo Contest Images

See what makes this country so captivating, from picturesque rice paddies to striking cityscapes

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See the Winners of the 21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

This year’s top photographs capture the quiet and chaotic from the American South to East Asia

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View This Year’s 60 Stunning Finalists From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

The photographs come from all corners of the world, capturing the beauty of everyday life

Elroy and Sophia Williams stand inside the Hopewell School, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. Once freed from slavery, Sophia’s grandparents, depicted in the artwork she holds, acquired and then donated land for the school, one of nearly 5,000 built for African American children across from 1912 to 1937.

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These 15 Moving Photos Celebrate Black History Month

To mark the February heritage month, these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest offer proof that African American history is timeless

Two polar bears paused from their play to nuzzle noses, which is the equivalent of a kiss for some species.

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Heartwarming Snapshots of True Love

These 15 photos capture affection that goes beyond candy and flowers

A kaleidoscope of Christmas lights creates a satisfying spectacle for the eyes.

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All Is Bright With These 15 Cheery Christmas Photos

Celebrate the holiday season with festive shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Nine-year-old Neikoye Flowers (foreground), photographed in 2023 wearing in a Civil War uniform like the one worn by his ancestor, David Miles Moore, Jr. (background),160 years ago.

There's More to That

When Your Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Is a Civil War Hero

Can recreating photographs from the 19th century connect a family to its lost heritage?

The northern lights cast an eerie glow upon an abandoned, wrecked airplane.

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These 15 Photos Capture the Beauty of the Northern Lights

Spiking solar activity could mean more chances to see the awesome aurora borealis

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