At 4:30 I make coffee. Taking the dog outside, we are met by a large buck about 20 feet from the door. All three of us freeze in place. I know he will outlast me in this staring stand-off. I look away, not wanting to be percieved as a threat. The dog growls softly, we slip back into the warm kitchen and hear the buck bound quickly away, snapping branches with his strong gallop. Watchful now, we walk softly, snow crunching and breath rising in the darkness—the day begins.
spanishwoods 
What a beautiful still-life that is!
And how fabulous to have such an encounter (especially since all ended well, of course).
Beautiful landscape photo, too.
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Thank you so much Dale
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What an amazing experience, Sylvia! Enough to help anyone wake up. ❤️
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Thank you John
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You are welcome Sylvia, happy weekend. 😊
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💕
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❤️
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I especially like the composition of your top photo and relate strongly to this lovely reflection as a whole. I, too, am an early morning person also blessed with the occasional buck visitor; I, too, have as an enduring keepsake an antler, thoughtfully shed in my yard.
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We are the lucky ones
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A beautiful description, Sylvia.
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Thanks ever so much Lynette
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Apart from the beautiful arrangement, the top picture’s soft warmth sets the tone for the writing wonderfully. The paradoxical blend of nature’s peaceful stillness and the tension of hoping the dog and buck stay at ease in each other’s presence. The second photo also balances the top one well, like it’s positioning the viewer’s gaze outside to keep watching for the buck.
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Thank you David
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A wonderful morning encounter Sylvia. I did try to find the buck in the beautiful photo of the bare trees 😀
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Thank you Brian
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Also…it was the black of night at 4:30 am so I could not have photographed him even if I was quick enough. The bottom photo was taken several hours later. 🙂
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A 4:30 am photo session is never fun
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