On a fairly uneventful day, but a lovely and peaceful spring morning otherwise, I had spent around 2 hours on the trails, taking in the quiet, breathing in the fresh morning air, looking at all the greenery of nature's warm weather bounty.
Near the end of my hike, I stopped to rest on an old wooden footbridge that spanned a backwater pond, partially overgrown by bright green vegetation. I had taken a few landscape shots earlier, nothing spectacular; but that's what happens quite often: the scenery is great but nothing pops out at me as being photogenic.
I never know if it's the scenery that is lacking or if my creativity level is low. Sometimes, nothing interesting catches my eye.
I stopped about halfway across the bridge and turned to my right, gazing at the dark water, the weeds and flowers and trees on either side. It was pretty, but I didn't even raise my camera to look for an interesting composition in the viewfinder. I was tired. Ready to go home.
There was a crackling sound in the woods behind me. I turned around and spotted a deer walking through the trees toward the mouth of the little backwater pond I was standing over.
I froze. The deer had not noticed me. It kept coming, getting closer, still not noticing me.
I slowly lifted the camera to my eyes, trying not to startle the beautiful animal, now quite close. This never happens. Not this close of an encounter.
I clicked a few shots. The deer heard the sound and sped up but did not change its direction. In a few steps, it's hooves and lower legs were in the water and somewhat tangled in all the vegetation. I kept shooting as the deer made its way to the other bank. Once on solid ground, the deer leaped up the bank and disappeared into the woods.
I smiled and headed for my car, knowing I must have gotten at least one good shot. And I was right. Today's photo was the one of the best of the series.
I could have just walked right on across that bridge, instead of stopping. Sometimes I do that, weary and anxious to get back home and take a shower. I have tramped over those old wooden slats many times.
But those vibrant colors under bright sunlight held my attention long enough for this day's purpose to unfold before me. Sometimes it works like that. Thank goodness.