23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Alpine Solitude in the Olympics

While the country prepared for fireworks on July 4, 2025, this buck stood silently at Hurricane Ridge. With velvet antlers framing the Olympic Mountains, it was a moment of pure alpine peace far above the holiday noise.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Washington, United States of America
Camera: ILCE-1M2
Copyright: © Xingfan Xia