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 |