Valhalla Mule Deer

It was an early summer morning camped out in a gorgeous high lake-filled basin in the Valhalla Ranges in B.C. on the second day of a planned four-day lake-visiting mountaineering traverse. I'd awoke, did my business and turned back to retrieve my camera hoping to capture some sunrise reflections in the still waters at the far side of the lake. I turned around and a deer had suddenly appeared and began browsing on the bush I had just visited. "Well, good morning Mr. Deer, may I take your picture!?" No sirree! Before I could get a shot off, he'd hopped 100 feet away and stood there playfully watching me. I started walking around the lake and he followed me and soon caught up to me. I was surprised at how well he could negotiate the boulderfields that fell steeply into the lake on all sides. I eventually stopped to set up the camera. "What's that little buddy?...you'll have to come closer if you want your portrait", I asked reassuredly. He approached to within two arm's lengths from me, pausing for a whole minute before moving slowly past me up the hillside. That moment made my whole trip. I don't think I will ever forget the calm, gentle look in this animal's eyes as he stood there for me perfectly camouflaged in his natural habitat.