23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
ancient owl
This photograph from Ellora Caves in India shows a spotted owlet nestled in a crevice of the ancient basalt walls. These rugged textures and cracks are part of the Deccan Traps, vast volcanic formations created by massive lava flows nearly 55 million years ago. Over time, the hardened basalt became the foundation for Ellora’s rock-cut monuments, and today, it also provides shelter for wildlife.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 02.2024 |
| Date Uploaded: | 12.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Aurangabad, India |
| Camera: | NIKON D7500 |
| Copyright: | © Sarthak Agrawal |