Second in a series of occasional posts on photography.

All photographers live for that special moment that presents the chance for that perfect shot and the sweet reward that results from it. We had been visiting Acadia National Park for several days in Fall 2014. I was on the hunt to photograph as many animals as possible in their natural setting, always being aware and listening in the quiet of the woods.  The photo I sought most was one of a buck.

On our last day, my husband wanted to drive the loop road one more time before we left to drive back to Portland. It was a gray misty day and few people were out; just a professional bird photographer and some hearty souls, who like myself, are drawn to the thrill when the sea is in all its fury. We stopped at Schooner Head overlook and debated whether to go down the trail to get closer to the churning sea. We decided against it and I’m glad we did. We were chatting with another couple about the house perched on the cliff opposite point. A short distance away, I noticed a dog belonging to a young woman stiffen. I thought to myself that he probably saw a squirrel or other critter he wanted to go after. We parted ways with the couple, but a couple of minutes later the man came back and whispered “There’s a deer over there and its got antlers.” Could it be?! I got my new Sony A58 quietly out of the car and tiptoed over to where the dog had been. Sure enough, there was a young buck nibbling on grass just in front of the trees. He was a beauty. It was a little hard to get a good exposure due to the buck blending in so well with the golden fall leaves and faded ground cover. Just as I got him in my sights, a car sped up and 3 woman jumped out, making a racket. I hissed at them to be quiet. I got off one shot, but that’s all it took. As the women approached, I saw the buck lift his head, sniff the air and sensing too many humans, turn and disappear into the woods.

Buck at Schooner Head, Acadia National Park. ME