Silhouetted Cattle in Nevada Ranch Corral

Hard coastal glare cuts through the dry afternoon, casting the beef cattle and sorting rail into stark silhouette. Mud climbs halfway up the wooden boards of the pen, evidence of recent rain, while squeeze-gate chains hang heavy and dark against the bright sky. Lot cards rest on the rail, their surfaces obscured by shadow. Ground fog pools in the low corners of the corral, softening the base of the posts before vanishing into the glare. The weather-worn texture of the wood is visible in the rough grain along the edges, against the smooth, dark shapes of the animals. One shadow stretches from the squeeze gate, marking the boundary between the muddy floor and the bright air.