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This photo is one of my favorites because it captures the grace, elegance, and tranquility of a blue heron in a single frame. I took it in the lesser-known Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, an overlooked gem despite its rich wildlife. On a frigid December morning around 5:30 a.m., while driving with my mom, I spotted the heron poised on the water bank, waiting for its breakfast. I quickly stepped out to get eye level with it, capturing the bird’s full reflection in the dark, glassy water. After shooting over 50 frames with different compositions, this photo stood out as the highlight of my trip.