23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Emys trinacris portrait
This portrait captures a rare encounter with Emys trinacris, an endangered freshwater turtle endemic to Sicily. I spotted her in the grass near the end of a trail in the Priolo Gargallo salt reserve, likely preparing to move between nearby ponds. The species is notoriously elusive, often hiding in dense aquatic vegetation. In this moment, she paused just before crossing the path, looking directly into the camera. Her steady gaze and the natural framing allowed for an intimate close-up, revealing the quiet presence of a creature rarely seen so clearly in the wild.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 05.2025 |
| Date Uploaded: | 10.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Priolo Gargallo, Italy |
| Camera: | Canon EOS M50 |
| Copyright: | © Mirko Caggioni |