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

19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sea of Birds

We were en route to the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, Peru, when we came across this massive flock of birds. The photo doesn't do it justice, but there were thousands of them! At one point, our guide stopped the boat, and we all sat in complete silence as the birds washed over us, soaring so close we could nearly touch their wings. It was sublime!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Off the coast of Paracas, en route to the Ballestas Islands, Peru
Camera: NIKON D3300
Copyright: © Molly Bookner