23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Serpent of the Shallows

A highly venomous sea krait glides effortlessly through the crystal-clear shallows of Niue, one of the world’s smallest island nations and home to some of the most pristine reefs on Earth. Niue’s isolated location in the South Pacific, far from major population centers and industrial runoff, helps preserve its exceptionally healthy coral ecosystems—making encounters like this both rare and remarkable.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Niue
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Copyright: © LEIGHTON LUM