Sleepy-eyed Doe

Watching from the morning mist

Atmosphere is something we all try to make happen in our images when we get a chance. You need the right conditions and of course the light has to be perfect. Fog or mist or even very subdued lighting due to clouds or other weather conditions are a necessary part of creating this effect. But what can be the most important element of all is that serendipitous event that cannot be planned. That special surprise that happens just because you got lucky. While in Rocky Mountain National Park shooting elk one morning I felt something watching me from behind. I turned and found this mule deer doe staring at me from out of the morning mist. There was no wind, the ground was wet from all the moisture in the air and even the birds hadn’t awakened yet. Everything was whisper quiet. After my taking a few quick shots she soundlessly backed into the brush and disappeared. This is one of those straight out of the camera shots that needed no post processing in Photoshop. What I saw is what you get. This shot is absolutely gorgeous as a large print.