Getting the most from poor lighting conditions

Often, the opportunity is presented but conditions are not favorable. Case-in-point, while awaiting the return ferry from Martha's Vineyard, I observed a male Osprey depart for dinner, knowing that it would most likely return with a fish and would give a good photo op., I prepared my 100mm-400mm zoom. Problem was that I was facing directly into the bright, low evening, sun and I had absolutely no room or time to make an adjustment. So, I simply exposed for the bright sun underexposing the Ospreys ,and nest , creating a sillouette and captured the image that I sought. To finish the image off to meet my needs, I adjusted the black point on the levels histogram on photoshop and then converted the image to black and white. A great image from awful conditions.