Always a Thrill

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

With the hazy bright sun behind him, I enjoyed seeing this fawn on the road.

Last Friday morning I left home at first light to continue on my favorite summer pastime: fawn spotting. I've been doing this for many years now, and the thrill never leaves me. Finding that "just right" picture I get to snap is a joy!

It's not just the picture. It's riding around before daylight in the freshness of a new morning. It's having the road to myself and being alone in the woods. It's thanking God for the pleasure this pastime gives me, always making my heart smile.

I'm coming to the end of my fawn spotting drives as I normally stop by the end of August. It's finding those little ones, still fresh to this world and curious, that make me smile.

This Friday morning, though, I had an extra bonus! Two buck! Finding buck with antlers is hard. I never tire of telling the story about my herd of buck.

One November I asked God for the opportunity to take some snaps of buck. I didn't have very many pictures of buck and wanted to take some more. I soon forgot about my prayer.

Here they come walking up to our back fence.

The next July, early one morning, eight buck, with antlers, came up to our back gate. We were in Maryland then and put corn down so we could see deer. It was magnificent! I talked about it all day. 

Here's three beauties!

They came back that evening and every day until the middle of October. Every day. Morning and evening. It wasn't until August that I remembered my prayer to God. It definitely gave me the chills and a few tears.

I will always be thankful for that opportunity right in my own backyard.

The two snaps I like best from Friday morning are below. There's just something about a buck walking calmy away that I love. The same with doe and fawn. I love snapping them walking away without a care. 

About an hour later I saw the second buck, and he too, gave me opportunity to take a few snaps.

Maybe I should extend my early morning drives into the fall. I haven't seen a bear this fawn spotting season. Since moving here 5 years ago, I've seen 6 while out driving around in the early morning.

This is one of my desires of the heart. God faithfully delights me with this pastime. It's always a thrill!

"God is so good that He only awaits our desire to overwhelm us with the gift of Himself."

Francois Fenelon, 1651-1715

Our herd of Buck leaving the yard after a nice meal.

By His Grace . . .