A Photo Opportunity

Beautiful, big puffy globs of white were falling from the sky when we got up this morning and continued through much of the day. This is winter as it is meant to be. Gorgeous and crisp. Cold, but pretty to look at.



The dogs started raising a rucus this afternoon. Our little dog, Naisey, was actually growling and scratching at the window with her paws. They usually tell us about people and neighborhood dogs as they pass the house, but her actions were enough to draw me to the window. I peeked out to see what was going on and there was a deer, a pretty good sized one, running across our yard.

We are close enough to the river that it's not unusual to see deer near here, but I've never seen one right up in our yard. I grabbed my camera -- and a jacket -- and took out in pursuit.

Of course, the deer traveled much faster than I did, but with the perfect falling snow, I was able to follow quite easily. I was relieved when the tracks turned south rather than continue on towards downtown. I hoped the deer would end up at Peter Pan Park. It seemed so frightened bounding across our yard with all the dogs barking their heads off.



I followed the tracks all the way to the trees of the park before they were joined by dog prints. I then met the two dogs (just small, harmless ones) who were probably tired by then of chasing the deer. The snow was falling heavily enough that the tracks were really starting to disappear, but I kept going thinking perhaps I'd find it hiding it some trees. Who knows. Maybe it was. Watching me the entire time or miles and miles away along the creek that runs to the river. It's hard to tell with a deer.

Meanwhile, I found myself out in a winter wonderland. The snow was falling softly and silently. Even in 27 degree weather, I didn't feel particularly cold because there wasn't a bit of wind. I'd even forgotten my gloves, but it was nice. I took photo after photo. After warming up at home, I pulled the pictures up on the computer and relived the peaceful moments - just me and the deer (somewhere) out in the new fallen snow.



I was urging a good friend of mine to upgrade to a digital camera the other day. She was talking about spacing out the development of her film to stay within her budget. I can't even tell you the last time expense was a concern as I took photos of my kids, at events, or just out running around the neighborhood chasing deer!

I've been a digital photography convert for seven years or so now and I recently upgraded (thanks to the generosity of my sister and brother-in-law) to a snazzier digital SLR. I bought my first digital camera - a Nikon CoolPix800 -- after tons of painstaking research. I was extremely happy with this camera. Even after so many years it took pictures that were of equal or better quality than most of the newer cameras I compared it with. I am now using a Panasonic Lumix DMC. I can't even begin to describe how happy I am with this camera, even though I thought I was a Nikon fan for life. (I still am, but I like the Panasonic too!)

I saved my old film cameras for years thinking I would miss the "art" of taking photos. I don't. It's a whole new art. AND you can feel free to go a little snap happy without worrying about breaking the bank in film and development.

I didn't get a photo of the deer today, but I did meet this little guy on the walk home. He was sitting up there making so much noise chewing on this nut that at first I thought a branch might be about ready to fall on me.



I took about six shots, by the way, to get this cute little poser just the way I wanted him. Six shots that won't cost me a dime to have developed. Yeah!

On my Christmas list this year... digital picture frames. My walls are covered with photos already, and I'm almost as big a fan of frames as I am of pictures. I think this would be the perfect addition to my collection.