Iwas in the national forest with my camera. the day was crisp, and the leaves were turning gold and red. when i spotted the white-tailed buck, i froze. he wasn't more than 15 yards from where i was standing. the wind must have been right, because he kept on browsing the mossy ground. i lifted my camera very slowly. carefully, holding my breath, i lifted the camera to my eye. turning the focus ring, i framed the deer's head. just as i was ready to press the shutter release, the buck raised his head. he was looking my way with wide eyes. click. i took the picture. an instant later, the deer bounded away into the forest. he took off, but i had the shot. today, the framed photo of that buck hangs above our fireplace.