23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Into the Grey

A whale’s fluke rises above the surface in soft grey light, perfectly framing a Glaucous Gull as it lifts from the sea. The bird’s wings align inside the arc of the tail, creating a fleeting moment where two species intersect in the rain.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Canada
Camera: OM-1
Copyright: © Jacqueline Burke