23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Take a breath

A Galapagos sea lion breaks the surface with a quiet breath, sending soft ripples across the water. This minimal black-and-white moment highlights the calm side of an animal usually full of energy, a brief pause in the wild rhythm of the islands.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Ecuador
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Copyright: © Agnieszka Wieczorek