Eagle on dark water

Late on a November afternoon, with the light already fading under the trees, this eagle stood watch on a half-submerged log — still enough that the dark water held a near-perfect reflection of its head. A different mood than a bird against open sky: quieter, almost monochrome.

Getting the shot

ISO 10000 was the price of admission for a usable shutter speed in that light — grainy, but a sharp, well-composed frame with noise beats a clean one that’s blurred. The near-black water did the rest, turning the scene almost into a study in white and dark brown.