23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
A Whisper of the Night: The Bat’s Yawn

Hidden beneath a gently folded banana leaf, a family of Honduran white bats sleeps in their emerald sanctuary. Each morning they carve their shelter with precision, transforming a simple leaf into a safe haven. In the quiet of the rainforest, one lets out a wide yawn — a small, fleeting gesture that reveals the peaceful rhythm of life under the canopy.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Sarapiquí, Costa Rica
Copyright: © Nicolas Reusens