Morning Branding Chute After Washdown

Steel rails and wooden planks of the livestock chute stand wet and gleaming under the first orange rays of sunrise. Water droplets rest on the dark rubber mats lining the floor, reflecting the pale blue sky above. The metal surfaces show streaks of rust and fresh silver where the washdown recently rinsed away mud and debris. Beside the heavy structure, a small table holds tagging kits with colorful plastic handles and metal needles resting in shallow trays. The wooden supports are darkened by moisture, against the lighter gray steel. The clear morning air leaves no mist, only the sharp definition of the equipment against the distant green horizon of the Mekong Delta. one drop of water falls from a rivet onto the wet concrete floor.