Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A Mayfly molting in garden compost.

I was planting seedlings with fresh compost when I noticed a tiny flutter in the dirt. The movement was too small for me to identify. I got a series of images, but after this shot, my flash batteries died. I quickly replaced them, but by the time I readjusted the Mayfly set sail. I regret missing the victorious capture of its take-off, but the emergence at this particular moment was enough for me to understand the beauty of change and lightness of letting go.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Cumberland, Maryland, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Copyright: © Marta Fiscus