Although White-Tailed Deer are abundant in New England, my favorite spot to photograph them is in Baxter State Park.  Sandy Stream Pond is a small kidney-shaped pond at the base of Mount Katahdin with two excellent vantage points for viewing the wildlife that pass through the area. 

A few years ago, I hiked to the pond at sunrise from my campsite at Roaring Brook, and emerged at Big Rock Viewpoint, scanning the pond quickly for any sign of activity.  Just at that moment I noticed a deer and a spotted fawn wading through the still waters not far from me, seemingly unaware of my presence.  I quickly removed my camera from my pack, and just as I raised it to my eye, the morning sun peeked over the ridge behind me, casting a warm golden light over the scene.

To my surprise, the deer wandered even closer to me, her fawn in tow.  For some time, they grazed near me, the mother unconcerned that I was only a few feet away, the fawn nervous and eager to depart.  I neither approached nor retreated, allowing the deer to determine the rules of our encounter.

Most of the time, photographing wildlife is an exercise in patience.  I have spent many long hours crouching in the muck or perched upon a rock (often surrounded by a cloud of black flies) optimistically waiting for the great photograph that never quite presents itself.  And then, as if to compensate, there are perfect moments like this one that seemed almost to be waiting for me to stumble upon it.