23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Silent Cycle: Dead Trees

This photograph captures a cluster of dead trees in the mountains of Sichuan, China. The bare branches against the snowy backdrop evoke themes of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence. The stark, solitary forms emphasize the beauty and melancholy of impermanence, reflecting contemplation and the passage of time.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Sichuan, China
Copyright: © Nanncie Zhu