Mom and her new baby

This peaceful photo of such beautiful, innocent creatures is in such stark contrast to the scenes of horror that are emerging from Orlando, Florida, following the shooting to death of 49 people and injuring 53 others. My heart goes out to all those affected by this atrocious act of terror and hate.

Fully zoomed (EXIF data gives Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm) and cropped, so this image leaves a lot to be desired as far as quality goes. However, I'm still thrilled to have seen this White-tailed doe with her tiny fawn and to get any photo at all. They were down at the bottom of a valley, so far away, and for one brief moment, they both stopped and turned to look in my direction.

This special moment happened yesterday, 13 June 2016, when I took a short drive SW of the city. Later today, I have to drop my car off to get it serviced and won't get it back till late tomorrow afternoon, so I was itching to get out somewhere. I had been looking for a Great Gray Owl and had turned off the main road in order to turn around. Caught sight of a Mountain Bluebird, so pulled over. It disappeared and didn't return and then I spotted a bright yellow male American Goldfinch singing its little heart out. Just as I was taking a few distant shots, a truck came round the corner and the guy came to a stop. He started telling me where he had just seen something - and I was expecting him to say a Great Gray Owl. Instead, he told me about this beautiful deer and her baby and said it would make a beautiful photo. Without his kind directions, I would never have seen them. Even with his help, it took me a little while to find them. They more than made up for not being able to see an owl!