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

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Washed Bench

The soil benches on either side of the Deer Lodge Valley in Southwestern, Montana were once part of an ancient lakebed. In a constant state of erosion, the earthen benches migrate over time toward the Clark Fork River, located along the center of this high mountain valley. Only the grasses delay the process.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Deer Lodge, Montana, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Copyright: © Mark Eisenbeil