23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Messenger of Spring

A tiny honey bee pauses over a sunlit bloom, its golden body and delicate wings glowing against the deep blue sky. In this still moment, every detail stands out — a quiet encounter with one of nature’s smallest yet most vital workers.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Saginaw, Mi, United States of America
Copyright: © Christopher Drake