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Grandfather Journal

Helen Hopper caught this photo of Beau covered in a thin glaze of "winter mix" on December 1st.

"Well he's a funny one," said Hopper. "He checks me out each and every time I come around with my camera...the girls in the habitat told me they think the deer may sees my tripod in the same light as a tranquilizing gun..so everytime I come around that buck steps forward and makes noises at me.

"He came all the way up from the back to the water and stared at me making those little noises occasionally. I didn't even have my tripod with me that time but I think he knows me now. I have visited them so much in the early morning and late evening I'm pretty sure he recognizes me. I'm not sure if he likes me or not but he definently acknowledges me.

"I was going for a back lit shot but think I like that portrait of him best. And it was cold! The temp dropped quickly Saturday (December 1). So anyway... the buck came to see me...and I started talking to him and he seemed to listen to me...maybe he has even missed me and my big clunky tripod...maybe he was wondering where it was! Anyway he also kinda posed for me so I enjoyed the moment and tried to take pics at the same time. I'm discovering more and more most of the magic is found just being there. I guess that is what I hope my pictures will do...make people want to be there." (Helen Hopper photo)

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