The Bonus Buck

The buck was a bonus, really. I was there for the golden bales, which I had been coveting all week long. This morning, the sunlight was just beautiful, and you know how much of a difference good light can make. I was driving by. I saw the bales. I saw the light. Just like that, my mind was made up. . . .

Resistance was futile. I pulled the car over at the little graveyard and parked it; hopped out with my camera; took out in hot pursuit. (Well, hot pursuit wasn't really necessary, as the bales weren't going anywhere; but you know what I mean. No, there is never extra time.)

It was the coldest morning so far - in the 20s F - and there was hard frost everywhere. In fact, there was sparkly hoar frost on many things; the first I've seen so far. The ground was gray with it in the field across the road, where even more golden bales got their heads together, plotting world domination. The field where I was standing had already been touched by the sun, and the frost was quickly disappearing.

I photographed the bales to my heart's content, admiring their orderly disorder; preening over them, really. (A photo of several of the bales near the pretty little white gazebo is included in the extra photos area.) I was happy; in my element, really. I was doing the thing I had been wanting to do, at last. I was living my dream. I hope you are too: even if it is a tiny dream, like mine, of photographing golden bales, it is well worth pursuing.

I returned to my car, quite content, and prepared to leave, but before I left, I took one last look at the field above the gazebo. Wait, was that an animal of some kind at the edge of the field? And I looked closer to find a beautiful buck grazing contentedly, head down, enjoying his breakfast. He lifted his head; he looked at me. Our gazes met. I took a deep breath, steadied my hand, zoomed in, and took my shot.

When I got back to my computer, I looked at the pictures; thought how much the textures and patterns behind the beautiful buck reminded me of a Medieval tapestry. How lucky I am, to encounter such beautiful scenes - both the tame parts and the wild ones too - on my drive to work. Oh, my life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue. . . .  The song to accompany this posting of the golden bales and the gazebo, and the bonus buck, is Carole King, with Tapestry.