Okay, so I had this idea to capture a cool shot of a white-tailed deer. I’ve seen them around my local park before, mostly at dusk, so I figured that’s where I’d start.
First things first, I packed my gear. I have a decent camera , nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. I also grabbed a longer lens – the one I usually use for birdwatching – because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get super close to the deer. A tripod was also essential, to keep the camera steady, and some snacks for myself, because, you know, patience is key and I get hungry.
Scouting the Location
I headed to the park just before sunset. The light gets all golden and pretty around that time, which is what I wanted for my photo. I walked around the areas where I’d seen deer before, looking for fresh tracks or any signs of them. There’s this one path, kind of overgrown with bushes and trees, that they seem to like. So, I set up my tripod there, got my camera attached, and adjusted the lens.
The Waiting Game
And then… I waited. And waited. And waited some more. It’s honestly the hardest part of wildlife photography. You’re just sitting there, trying to be quiet and still, hoping something will show up. I saw some squirrels, a few birds, even a grumpy-looking raccoon, but no deer.
I was starting to think I’d have to try again another day, I started to pack up. I had heard some rustling in the bushes. I stopped packing and kept my eyes locked on the leaves, and guess what I saw a white-tailed deer. Not just any deer, a beautiful doe, stepping right onto the path!
Capturing the Moment
My heart was pounding! I slowly got my camera ready, trying not to make any sudden movements. The deer paused, looked around, and then started to cross the path, it was surrounded by all that thick, green foliage, and the light was hitting it perfectly. I held my breath and pressed the shutter button, taking a burst of photos.
Reviewing the Results
Back home, I excitedly uploaded the photos to my computer. Most of them were okay, a little blurry because the deer was moving, but a few were pretty much exactly what I wanted. It was totally worth the wait!
