23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Where Life Hangs in Balance

Amboli Bush Frog eggs, suspended in their jelly capsules, showcasing the developing tadpoles inside. These tiny amphibians are endemic to the Western Ghats of India and exhibit direct development, meaning they skip the free-swimming tadpole stage and hatch directly into miniature froglets. This clutch was likely deposited on a leaf or moss near the forest floor in their misty, high-altitude habitat.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2022
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: Sindhudurg, India
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Copyright: © Kapil Bhagwat