Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A female Hoopoe feeding her young

On a recent trip to Slovenia, I learned of a small family farm that had a hollow tree with a Hoopoe who was raising her young. The farmer took me to an area near the tree where I could see the hollowed opening. I studied the behavior of the female making multiple trips to the forest for grubs. After several hours of watching this behavior, I was elated when the baby finally emerged from the nest. Many thanks to the farmer and his wife for their hospitality. Without this, I would never have been able to get this shot.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: About 100 miles from Ljubljana, Slovenia
Camera: NIKON Z 9
Copyright: © Conrad Peloquin