Blue-footed Booby Dance on Thimphu Lava Ridge

Bright midmorning sun floods a wind-scoured volcanic ridge near Thimphu, illuminating a blue-footed booby mid-dance on rough black lava rock. The bird spreads its vivid blue feet against the dark stone. Above, a school of tropical fish swims through the clear air at head height, their scales catching the light as if suspended in water. Shadows fall sharply beneath the bird and the floating fish, at the base of the impossible school in the bright landscape. Green spring vegetation dots the rocky edges. The water-like clarity of the fish contrasts with the dry, scoured terrain. One fish fin glints against the deep blue sky.