18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A Tree Hugging Koala

This koala I encountered while visiting the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. It had been roaming along the ground until it spied a tree to climb. It quickly scaled the bare tree and came to rest where it is in the photo. It looked to me like it was surveying the land and showing off to others nearby. I particularly liked how the koala was framed by the blooming flowers resting after a job well done!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Healesville, Australia
Copyright: © Peter Aikens