23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Guardian of the Falls

At the base of a misty jungle waterfall, a malabar pit viper rests on a mossy rock, blending seamlessly with the raw wilderness around it. The cascading water glows softly against the blue ambiance of the forest, while the entangled roots gripping the cliffs above add to the sense of untouched wildness. The scene feels like a hidden sanctuary where the snake, still and alert, watches over the flow of life that passes through this secluded ravine.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 09.2025
Photo Location: Amboli Ghats, India
Camera: NIKON D7500
Copyright: © AVILASH GHOSH