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

19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
My Joy, Your Pain

This picture shows a captivating Emu at a children’s zoo. While on this outing, I was caught completely off guard at the deep connection I felt with this beautiful creature, and was able to capture it in a picture! Is it happy? Depressed? Objectified? Safe? Very thought provoking. I felt plucked out of existence and thrown into serious deep thought. Under lock and key, unable to pursue anything; a prisoner of safety. This all happened while a little hand pulled on mine to move on to the next animal enclosure. A lost connection.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2021
Date Uploaded: 05.2021
Photo Location: Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Copyright: © Vanessa Owen