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Description

While driving around Jackson, Wyoming, with my mom this past summer, we stopped at a trailhead along the road in Grand Teton National Park. For two miles, I carried my camera without spotting a single animal, wondering if the hike would end in disappointment. Then, the trail opened to reveal a small, serene pond before us. As I scanned the water, I noticed two common goldeneyes gliding across the dark, still surface. Almost as if they sensed my gaze, they suddenly took off, flying directly in front of me. I instinctively panned with them, capturing over 300 photos in just seconds. Though these birds are ordinary, the striking contrast of their golden eyes and dark feathers against the reflective water makes this shot one of my favorites from the trip.