The “Buck”et Shot
There’s this funny thing about photography: every time I go out with a specific shot in mind, it almost never happens. Instead, the best moments find me when I’m least expecting it. This past week, I learned that lesson once again during a walk at Peebles Island State Park in Cohoes, New York, where I set out to photograph ducks and ended up face-to-face with a beautiful buck.
Let me set the scene: it was one of those perfect fall days when the world is drenched in reds, oranges, and yellows. Peebles Island sits where the Mohawk River, Erie Canal, and Hudson River converge, creating a uniquely scenic backdrop. The late afternoon sun was just starting to dip below the trees, casting this incredible golden glow over the landscape. I had spotted a few ducks in a particular area earlier that week, so I lugged my camera gear in my backpack, hoping to capture them in the same spot. Spoiler alert: the ducks had other plans.
After a quick (okay, maybe not so quick) search, it became clear I wasn’t getting the photo I was looking for, but I wasn’t quite ready to pack it in. So, I left my camera out and decided to meander back along the trail, soaking in the sunset. And that’s when it happened.
As I rounded a bend, I noticed something back up in the tree line above me on the path. Standing just 20–25 yards away was this beautiful buck, staring right at me. Normally, deer bolt at the first sign of movement, but this guy? He held his ground. We just locked eyes—me, trying to keep my cool, and him, looking like he was pondering what I was doing. Slowly, I raised my camera, fully expecting him to dart away, but instead, he just stood there, calmly letting me photograph him. This has been on my photographic bucket list.
For a moment, I stopped taking photos and just soaked it all in. It was like he was posing, the golden sunlight highlighting every detail of his coat, the autumn leaves adding the perfect pop of color in the background. I couldn’t believe my luck. The wildest part? The urge to share this magical moment with someone kicked in, and I found myself reaching for my phone.
I FaceTimed my father-in-law. We’ve shared a few deer sightings before, but usually, they vanish long before I can get a shot. I knew he’d get a kick out of this one. When he picked up, I whispered, “I have to show you something.” I slowly flipped the camera to the buck, and his reaction was priceless—a mix of awe and the classic “Did you get the picture?!”
After we hung up, I spent a little longer with my unexpected model. He stayed put, as if he was giving me the green light to snap as many photos as I wanted. When I finally turned to leave, he just watched me walk away.
Sometimes, I feel like moments like these are arranged by some unseen force—a little nudge, a reminder that I don’t choose the photos; they choose me. That evening, I set out to photograph something totally different, but I left with an unforgettable encounter, a few incredible shots, and the feeling that maybe, just maybe, that buck had been waiting for me.
