Sunlit Sunfish

Red-breasted sunfish, like this one, are incredibly territorial - so the moment I got too close, he swam right up to my camera, making sure I knew this was his space. For a freshwater fish, his colors were unbelievably vibrant, glowing in the sunlight filtering through the springwater. What I love most about this shot is how you can see the lens of his eye protruding through the pupil, a fascinating detail that’s common among small fish. Taken in Alexander Springs, FL.