Asiilbek, a nomadic Kazakh eagle hunter, Mongolia

Racing across the open plains of western Mongolia, a Kazakh eagle hunter named Asiilbek grips the reins while his golden eagle balances on his outstretched arm. The bird's wings are spread wide, caught in that split second before flight, and his white horse charges through a shallow stream with water bursting up around its legs. His heavy coat, embroidered hat, and decorated saddle tell you this is a life shaped by tradition. Behind him, rolling hills fade into a dark and cloudy sky, giving the whole scene a wild, windswept feeling.

Eric Esterle, a photographer with a fascination for far-flung cultures, took this picture in 2010 while traveling through the Altai Mountains. The practice shown here is called berkutchi, an old form of hunting that Kazakh families have handed down for generations. Hunters raise golden eagles to chase foxes and hares over the frozen winter ground, building a close relationship with the birds before setting them free again after a few years together. The magic of the shot is all in its timing, freezing the thunder of hooves and the whip of cold air into a single frame. It offers a rare glimpse of a way of living that still holds on, far removed from the busy modern world.