Saturn Riding the Dark Horse

From the photographer: “A delicate balance between nature and human intrusiveness exists at the Ancient Bristlecone Forest in California. The oldest tree on these slopes is a staggering 5,068 years old (germination in 3051 BC). Pictured in the frame is an iconic still living ancient Bristlecone pine tree, as the Milky Way core with Saturn apparently riding the Dark Horse Nebula rises behind it. The soft illumination of the tree highlights the details in its form accumulated over thousands of years.”

Technical details: Single-exposure, Sony A7S2. 28mm, f/3.2, 10 sec shutter speed at ISO 10,000