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

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sheltered by the Past

Near Lüderitz, Namibia, lies an abandoned house once central to a now-forgotten industry: the guano trade. In the early 20th century, workers harvested guano, the nutrient-rich droppings of penguins, which were in high demand as fertilizer. This desolate building, battered by time and the elements, now serves a new purpose. Penguins, once exploited for their guano, have reclaimed this space as a sanctuary. The juxtaposition of human history and wildlife resilience creates a poignant narrative, where nature reasserts itself over the remnants of human industry.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Namibia
Camera: NIKON Z 7_2
Copyright: © Alexandre Brisson