I often struggle to name my photos, but this one had a name the moment I saw it. Beaver Lake was my location. As I entered the area I made a last second decision to park in the south lot, instead of the area further around to the north. I always walk the south side of the lake and hadn’t been on the east side trails since last year. On this morning, I didn’t have much interest or hope for photography, but I slung the tripod with camera over my shoulder and headed down the trail. My heart was heavy, filled only with thoughts of my beloved friend, whose health was rapidly failing.
As I walked on the soft, silent bed of pine needles, I had a vision of seeing a deer at the end of a well-known stand of pines. They create a perfectly straight trail for about 150 yards. That spot would be at the end of my hike, should I happen to go that route on my way out.
After a couple hours of aimless wandering, I was heading back in the direction of the pine tree trail. There is a fork in the trail that leads you to the either the south or the north end of that stand of pines. I took the trail to the right, walked about 50 yards before I stopped, turned around and went back. That is something I never do, but on this morning, I did.
To this point, I hadn’t even bothered to extend my tripod legs, so I was completely unprepared to capture any brief glimpses of wildlife. As I walked along the upper trial, getting closer and closer to where the pine tree trail would start, I again saw and felt my “vision.” Realizing there was a one in a million chance that I might see such a sight, I listened to my inner voice, stopped to extend my tripod legs to a standing height, and turn my camera on.
As I stepped into the south end of that pine tree trail, there they were! Two beautiful doe, standing in perfect symmetry, looking right at me on the far end of the trail! The only spot where the sun was casting light, was right where they stood. I was suddenly staring right into my own vision!
I am generally calm and collected when opportunities arise, but I felt a definite flush go through my body and I was somewhat clumsy and trembling as I took a few shots. It lasted for less than 10 seconds, before the deer turned and casually walked away. I stood in the silence for a few moments, not really understanding what to think or how to feel about what just happened, then continued on my way.
It was only a minute or two before I was back to my Jeep, where I immediately received the urgent call from my wife about my friends dire condition. Her trembling voice struggled to tell me that my best friend passed away within the hour of this beautiful vision coming to reality. Flushed with emotion, unable to speak, I had no words beyond I’ll be right home. I can only name this photo, “The Gift.” I truly believe it was his final good-bye to me.
