23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Drone/Aerial
The Portal Beneath

This cenote, viewed from above, looks like a quiet lake until you notice the dark circular sinkhole at its center. These formations were sacred to the Maya, believed to be gateways to the underworld. The natural gradients of yellow, green, and deep blue show how dramatically the depth changes in just a few meters.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: Mexico
Camera: FC3411
Copyright: © Uku Sööt