It was early morning

Before the pink touched the sky

I quietly climbed the tree

 

It took a few minutes

With my gear strapped on

To settle and get my bearings

 

Perched high above the smaller trees

The brush and fallen branches

The forest floor

 

I wanted to drink some coffee

But I was scent free now

And making every attempt to stay that way

 

The deer would be moving soon

And I knew chances were slim

Of spotting one

 

But I had done my homework

Hiking and scouting

And watching for tracks

 

I sat there drinking hot water

Pretending that it contained caffeine

And waiting, watching, wishing

 

I heard a rustle nearby and froze

Willing myself not to breathe

The animal stopped, hesitated

 

After a moment he moved

Stepping into a clearing

Not far from my where I sat

 

I slowly raised my arms

Looking closely through the lens of my scope

He was perfect

 

It was then that I moved my finger

The action was in motion

And I couldn’t believe my luck

 

First time out

A trophy buck first thing in the morning

Best photo I ever took