Where the Crested Caracara Keeps Watch

• Connection to Category: Under moonlit skies in Arizona’s Altar Valley, a Crested Caracara stands watch over its nest within a saguaro cactus, revealing the quiet dependence of wildlife on natural darkness. Star trails and meteors trace the passage of time, while aircraft streaks and distant community glow introduce a competing presence. Rather than removing these elements, they are preserved to reflect the growing influence of artificial light on nocturnal environments. This image highlights both the beauty and fragility of the night, emphasizing that dark skies are not only essential for astronomy, but also for sustaining habitats where life continues under cover of darkness.
• City: Hwy 86, Alter Valley,(near Kitt Peak National Observatory)
• State (Province/Region): AZ
• Country: USA
• Camera body used: Canon EOS 5D MIII
• Lens used: EF50mm f/1.2L USM
• Aperture: 2.8
• Shutter Speed: 6 sec
• ISO: 1250

• Exposure Time: 6
• ISO: 500
• Shutter speed: -1719/665
• Aperture: 2.970854
• Focal length: 50
• Camera lens: EF50mm f/1.2L USM
• Camera Body: Canon EOS 5D Mark III