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

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Portriat of a Gnat Ogre

This image is a high magnification focus bracket of a gnat ogre, a tiny species of robbery fly. I photographed it while perched on the end of a branch in the early morning this summer. The complex eyes of a gnat ogre are so small and detailed they're challenging to photograph on a living subject. I'm happy to say I captured this image of a wild, living subject in the field.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
Camera: OM-1
Copyright: © Benjamin Salb