Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Guardian of the Dunes

In the golden glow of a Namibian sunset, a desert-adapted lion stares directly at the viewer, exuding both strength and resilience. These remarkable lions, native to the Namib Desert, have evolved to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth, embodying the untamed spirit of the desert. I love this photo for the way the lion’s gaze draws you into its world—wild, relentless, and powerful.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2021
Date Uploaded: 10.2024
Photo Location: Namibia
Copyright: © thibault gerbaldi