23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Feather Maintenance

A Yellow-billed Stork twists its long neck to preen its back feathers in the soft glow of the Chobe River, Botswana. Just minutes later, elephants stampeded the riverbanks, chasing away lions attempting to hunt their young.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: chobe, Botswana
Copyright: © Wiktoria West