23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
A Thirsty Worker

A honey bee pauses to drink from a droplet of water, her wings weathered from a lifetime of hard work. Up close, the details reveal a tired worker in one of her final tasks — a quiet moment near the end of her life cycle.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Saginaw, Mi, United States of America
Copyright: © Christopher Drake