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

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Moth at Sunset

A moth unfurls its proboscis onto a sunflower in a beautiful shot with the sunset behind its silhouette. This is a rare shot; normally moths are nocturnal, but that evening the sun hid behind clouds and the moths came out early while the bees went away-- then the sun reappeared for about two minutes before slipping below the horizon.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Blaine, Washington, United States of America
Camera: ILCE-7RM5
Copyright: © Brian Clopp