The world of wildlife photography depends on patience and anticipation, capturing the fleeting moments showing the beauty of nature. But what happens when a long -awaited subject appears with a defect, a visible imperfection that challenges the idea of perfection we follow?
Wait
My story is not “epic” today – no early morning or especially difficult climbing. When I shared a good lunch with two long -time friends, we climbed the mountain, loaded with gear and expected to kick the red deer rote season with first vision. In our group, small exploits had a distinct feeling of distinct, and since the ruting season had just begun, we were not suffering from stress of high expectations.
We quietly raised the positions, each photographer next to a shrub or a tree below his own mesh, in addition to several meters, at the place where this height gives way to Woodland Murland. We had a good scene, but there was nothing around us yet – no deer, leaving far from far from far from.
The two eagles grow together, high on the watershed crest. Below them, many kestrels. They were not in a viable photo position, so I saw without framing. But I enjoyed his appearance very much, tasted this moment.
Then wait, wait, and wait.
As the hours passed, the temperature decreased. There was a gentle air and moist earth and mushroom smell around us.
The darkness slowly came in. We guessed, or at least expected, when the red deer emerges from the forest, it was an important moment; Otherwise, we faced the possibility of closing the day without any photo. Of course, there have been many occasions where we left without capturing the same image, but sharing time in the mountains is always valuable anyway. Catching these ideas, I was soon interrupted by a sound coming from clearing on the edge of the forest.
Encounter
It was not just a sound, but even at a distance there was a spectacular appearance.
Deer emerged from the shadow of the forest, proud and proud. The stem of the muscles, the eyes glow with a fundamental pride. I implicated him in a viewfinder; For a moment, the whole world shrunk into that single frame. He was far away, so I switched to the teleconverter. I focused, ready to press the shutter. At that moment, reality revealed itself.
It was not the right red deer I expected. Some were missing. My eye spontaneously went to her antillers: one anterler only, and the other was broken!
My first idea – to accept it – was one of despair, even a sign of despair: the opportunity was lost, it was just a “inauspicious” deer.
Redistribution
I stopped trapping her and just saw. He continued to move forward with a purpose.
He reached a dirty puddle, where he rubbed his antheller and was printed almost several times.
After some, admitly bad shots, I stop.
I kept watching, and meanwhile, a second stag appeared, very small and small but already decent antillers. He also wanted to reach Pokhar, but did not dare. I took a picture of him. He was not in a good position and it was not, but at least he had both Antar, I told myself. But these were not good images, either.
I turned my attention back to the Big Stag. There was something about him – a dignity that invited the reflection. He was surprised by his “defect”, holding his land. His pride remained intact.
I started looking at both the situation and deer differently. My initial disappointment melted, which was replaced by curiosity and imagination. What was the story behind that broken antler?
A struggle with a big opponent? Or just a trivial event during their development?
This was the second possibility, but I started imagining and assured myself that it was former. The Antler did not fall from the bus; It was lost in war – a duality for existence or dominance, which was to win the rights of the partner. This is not difficult: two veterans are facing, which is a dull clash of antellers, tiredness visible in their eyes. And our deer, though injured, did not give up. He fought in the last, grabbed his land. Eventually, he was still here, swinging. His imperfection was not a sign of my bad luck, but his courage!
He is so proud, there was evidence that beauty is not only in perfection, but also in the strength to remove adversity. Sympathy took over, and I no longer feel disappointed, but respect.
A fictional hug
I rejected the deer, this time with a different intention. Now not to capture perfection, but to respect the courage of my subject. And the image after the image, praising my pride, I am fast convinced that the wound of the fight made this animal even more unique and attractive.
I was in a moment of connection, realizing that I get into wildlife photography when I find out that beauty is around us, and that it can also be found in flaws. I imagined that it was imagined to place his hand on the deer’s head, which detects the trail of the broken anteler. This moment of embrace could not be physical, but it was real in my mind. This was a gesture of consolation, as you would do for a long time friend who fought with all his strength. A whisper of praise: “You performed your best. You won, even if you lost. You are a champion, a warrior, a survivor.”
conclusion
Wildlife photography requires patience and is awaited unique moments, often looking for beauty. But sometimes, unusual encounters challenge the idea that beauty should be associated with perfection. The lesson is that notable subjects are often found in authenticity rather than innocence.
I am eager to know if some of you look at yourself in this story, and your opinion is also not related to what I have missed. If you want, feel free to share your comments down.
