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

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Eyes of Reliance

This photograph from Zhangjiajie National Park captures a young monkey sitting expectantly on a forest path, framed through the legs of a passing tourist. The monkey's gaze is alert and hopeful, a reflection of its reliance on tourists for food. The scene portrays the delicate and sometimes problematic relationship between wildlife and human visitors, with the monkey adapting its behavior to the presence of humans in its natural habitat. The blurred figure of the tourist in jeans and sneakers underscores this interaction while highlighting the animal's vulnerability.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: China
Camera: NIKON Z 7_2
Copyright: © Alexandre Brisson