Tapir in Blue Evening Shadow Jakarta River

Rain-slicked leaves hang heavy along the muddy banks of a tidal inlet near Jakarta, dripping into the brown water that ripples around the sturdy legs of a Malayan tapir. Deep shadow swallows the bulk of the animal, while a sharp rim of cool blue evening light traces the curve of its broad back and the soft folds of its skin. The dark form separates from the humid haze rising above the water. The tapir stands knee-deep with ears swiveling forward, its dark coat glistening with moisture from the rainy season. one drop of water rests on the edge of its snout against the deep shadow of its face.