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Nature Photography

After the rain, storm clouds continue to hover above a windmill as a rainbow signals the return of the sun.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Photos of Striking Landscapes and Lively Scenes Deep in the Heart of Texas

These images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest remind us what makes the Lone Star State so special

Two male polar bears square off for battles over territory and, ultimately, mating rights.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

Explore the Spectacular Landscapes and Awesome Animals of Western Canada

Enjoy some northern exposure with these 15 images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

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These Stunning Images Capture Colorado’s Most Magical Experiences Yet

Here are five unique, only-in-Colorado experiences that get right to the heart of the state’s grandeur

Soaring through the sky can be hard work, so why not land on a flower for a nectar break?

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

Be Blown Away by These 15 Images of Beautiful Butterflies

These shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest show just why butterflies have floated into our hearts

During the squid run, tens of thousands of opalescent squids (Doryteuthis opalescens) gather together.

In Order to Unravel the Many Mysteries of Squids, Scientists Dive Into Their Mating Frenzies

Marine biologists hope to find out more about a creature that is vital to a healthy ecosystem and the state’s fishery

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10 Surprising Ways to Explore One of Europe’s Greenest Capital Cities: Zagreb, Croatia

Where nature and culture are woven together

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There's More to That

Looking Back on the L.A. Wildfires Through the Lens of Two Photographers

As wildfire becomes an increasingly lethal force that’s remaking broad swaths of California, people and animals alike are in the hot seat

Birds glide above the forests that surround Anacapa Island, California.

What Free Diving in a Kelp Forest Taught Me About an Overlooked but Incredibly Valuable Ecosystem

A photographer shares the epiphanies she has had while chronicling underwater jungles off the California coast

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.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Serene Scenes of the English Countryside

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

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Discover Unique Adventures at These Five Minnesota State Parks

From towering pines and fish-filled lakes to iconic wilderness areas, Minnesota’s parks and forests have it all

Lightning from a summer monsoonal thunderstorm strikes in Tucson just as the sun sets. 

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Photos That Will Remind You to Appreciate the Rain

Take a look at these Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest pictures of this precious precipitation

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See the Spectacular Winners of Smithsonian Magazine’s 22nd Annual Photography Contest

By toying with perspective, this year’s best photos capture the sublime—and the uncanny

Appearing in a landscape that looks as though it were painted in watercolor, a male red deer roars in the rain. This photograph was the runner-up in the animal behavior category.

See 15 Captivating Images From the British Wildlife Photography Awards, From a Majestic Shark to Hungry Pigeons

The winning photographs highlight the diversity of animal and plant life in Britain as well as the often hidden behaviors of wild creatures

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Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 60 Remarkable Finalists From the 22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

From stunning landscapes to captivating portraits, the photographs showcase the diverse beauty of the world around us. Vote for your favorite, too, for the Readers’ Choice competition

Gelada monkeys are known for long, flowing manes that continue down their backs.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See Magnificent Monkeys From Around the World in These Shots From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

You don’t have to swing from treetops to get a close-up look at these curious creatures

With a sunny “halo” to point the way, a truck climbs into the Brooks Range towards Atigun Pass, heading for Fairbanks after departing the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay.

Discover Alaska

See the Glorious Beauty of Alaska With 15 Images From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

See why the 49th state is a No. 1 destination

With their eyes nearly front and center, owls don’t benefit much from peripheral vision, but their heads can rotate 135 degrees in any direction, giving them a great field of view.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Stunning Photos of Superb Owls to Kick Off This Year’s Super Bowl Weekend

These snapshots of the majestic bird in flight and in trees will leave your soul soaring

Penguins are attentive parents, with both males and females sharing the work. Here, displaying a common practice, each partner faces the other with a bowed head.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

See 15 Adorable Photos of Playful, Picture-Perfect Penguins

These images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest show just why penguins have waddled into our hearts

One of the first-ever images of the Mount Lyell shrew in California

See the First-Ever Photographs of the Elusive Mount Lyell Shrew, Finally Caught on Camera in California

A group of young researchers captured and photographed the animal on a three-day expedition to the Eastern Sierra Nevada

Lynx Spider by Manfred Auer won third place in the invertebrate portrait category of this year's Close-up Photographer of the Year contest.

See 15 Winning Images From the Close-Up Photographer of the Year Competition

The annual contest offers a glimpse into the hidden world of tiny scenes, from insects to fish to fungi

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