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

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Breastfeeding Red Fox

In the heart of the Botanical Gardens, where pathways wove through patches of wildflowers and neatly trimmed grass, the vixen lay at ease. For several years, she had chosen a shady, secure spot beneath the canopy of a sprawling tree. Around her, life carried on—strollers rolled by, children’s laughter echoed, and photographers waited in hushed silence, captivated by the scene unfolding before them. But Mama Fox remained undisturbed, her amber eyes half-closed as her kits nursed peacefully at her side. It was a moment of wild grace amid the urban bustle, a simple yet profound example of the enduring bond between humans and Nature. In that quiet, trusting moment, the fox entrusted her little ones to the protection of the people nearby, while the humans, in turn, rediscovered a deep and often forgotten love for the natural world around them. It’s a moment I will never forget—trust, love, and care captured in a fleeting frame of time.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Montreal, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS R6
Copyright: © Antonia Gueorguieva