23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
The Silent Observer

Amidst a forest bathed in deep twilight blues, a gecko rests calmly on a moss-covered rock, its gaze steady and unbothered. The background trees blur into streaks of motion, creating the illusion of a living, breathing forest in constant flux, while the gecko remains the anchor of stillness. The dreamy effect transforms the scene into one that feels almost otherworldly—where time rushes past but the creature remains timeless and grounded.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 09.2025
Photo Location: Amboli Ghats, India
Camera: NIKON D7500
Copyright: © AVILASH GHOSH