Sleeping Stillness
Featured in the group Forests Oct 2009
Featured in the group Healing through Art Oct 2009
I sat watching him sitting there beneath the spruce and oak – a canopy of such density that little snow filtered thru. Winter chill creeping into my bones; I rose from my seat in the fallen leaves to run thru a series of deep knee bends, hoping to warm my blood. Upon returning to my seat, I looked in utter surprise to see that he was fast asleep. It’s a given that Park animals are far more comfortable with us that usual, but still I couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit flattered that he would trust me enough to fall asleep in my presence. I was raised in a family of hunters, you see. Though I lacked the constitution for it, I participated just the same. It made me feel closer to my father. I went contrary to my nature to get my father’s approval. I wasn’t aware of this at the time. After many years, and having put my guns away, I realized that my life as a hunter had taken a toll on me somehow. I took up a camera, instead of a gun, and without knowing this either, I went into nature to find forgiveness. I had been away from nature for over ten years, away from my childhood friend, that place that I had retreated to for solace so often growing up.
I sat there watching him sleep just a stone’s toss away and something foreign crept its way into me – a feeling that if given a voice to speak would have said to me, “Hey, do you suppose that if he can trust you like this, don’t you reckon you should be able to as well?” It felt like my father putting his arm around me and telling me that nothing else mattered; it was okay to make mistakes – it’s how you learn. I realized that despite all the striving I’d never let me feel approval of me. It wasn’t easy deciding to deal with me in a completely different way. But I met something there that day in the silence of the forest that showed me how to go about it. I found it deep within. A deer friend showed me how to find it.
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©Miles A Moody LivingEarth-Hearthealing.com. Written and photographic works are the sole property of copyright holder; reproduction in part or in full only with expressed permission or purchase.
Nikon 5F, f2.8 @ 1/15, 200 mm, Fuji Velvia, -1 exp.comp fill flash, Gitzo tripod, Wemberly head. Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Sleeping Stillness belongs to the following groups:
**PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY**, All Animals Great And Small., All That is Nature (Photography Only), Animal Kingdom, Antlers, Racks, and Other Horned Animals, Appalachian Life & Artists, Deep Within, Deer Me!!!, Forests, Healing Through Art (HTA), In Another World .., Just Pure Nature., Light In The Darkness, Sleeping Creatures , Smoky Mountain Masterpieces, Snow Days, Snow! Glorious Snow!! 2 a day, Spiritual Art, The Beauty of Nature (Nothing Man-Made), The Great Outdoors (no water, this group is about wilderness land) and Wild Nature Photography & Writing Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
A.M. Ruttle
Wow, what a moment, what a thrill, and what a journey you went on in that flash of time, Miles!
Miles Moody replied
yes, it is wonderful to connect with others such as you on that deeper level. Thank you.
Sharon Mau
Your literary work is as wonderful as your beautiful image Miles. Congratulations on your feature today in the Forests group. This is so deeply moving and very beautiful. I am delighted knowing this magnificent creature is sleeping in a lovely bed of fallen leaves in the stillness of the forest. Beautiful work. I love it so much.
Miles Moody replied
Thanks, Sharon, I’m warmed by your kindness.
A.M. Ruttle
Touché, Miles! Congrats on the Feature!
Miles Moody replied
Thank you
DonnaMoore
Great shot….Thank you for adding it to our group “Sleeping Creatures”.
Miles Moody replied
Its a cool group, thanks for making it available, Donna.
alaskaman53
Waaauw, what a great moment and a great picture, well done.
Miles Moody replied
Thanks, Alaskaman!
Lynn Moore
Miles Moody replied
Thank you so much, Lynn. I feel honored!
Matt Hansen
That is a once in a lifetime encounter!!! You shot him at the perfect angle…so well done. A bit too saturated for my liking, but what a moment!!!!!!!!
Miles Moody replied
Thanks, Matt.
Sandy Stewart
Wow,....this is one of those uniquely rare captures of a life time!!! At first glance, I thought the buck was laying dead, but I noticed its eyes were closed and thought he must be sleeping! lol I very much enjoyed reading your experience with this Buck and it brought back memories of my dad. My dad was also an avid hunter. We lived off of venison for most of our childhood years. One day in my later teenage years, I asked my dad why he wasn’t hunting anymore and he told me that he was getting soft and took more pleasure in shooting them with his camera. When growing up we were not well off and so hunting was a way for my dad to bring cheaper meat to the table. Thank you for sharing this wonderful capture and experience with us! : )
Miles Moody replied
Hi Sandy, I can relate very much to your sharing, since the financial situation was much the same; your dad sounds like he’s had a similar experience with wildlife as me. There was a character on the TV show “Northern Exposure” who said the very same thing. There’s comfort in the sharing for me. Thank you.
Bellavista2
Magnificent photo and story, just brillance:=}
Miles Moody replied
Ah, thanks so much :-) So kind.
Rita Agostinelli
Awesome capture Miles and touching words….excellent! He found you to be a trusting soul and soooo his comfort zone was found…how sweet!! :))♥
Miles Moody replied
Thank you, Rita; Yes, I judged myself as bad having turned against the sense of belonging I felt as a child in nature. What happened with this buck was reinduction back into that sense of communion. What I hadn’t been able to feel before, was now available in my awareness – forgiveness first and then restoration into what I had lost. His influence, his trust, and all that came thru him encouraged me to allow that back into my experience.
Rita Agostinelli
Hi Miles…I know there is a purpose for everything and soo there is a purpose for hunting too… it’s just not for everyone to enjoy… I grew up with a brother who enjoyed hunting…and it just never was something I enjoyed seeing… you have reached the place you needed… as you say .. ”..forgiveness first and then resortation into what I had lost..” Said beautifully! Your gallery is beautiful! :))
Miles Moody replied
:-) nicely said, Rita. Thank you (I’ve since done a study of hunting as Native Americans hunted – with a deep interconnection with nature as a part of nature, receiving in gratitude and appreciation).
Ann Richardson
Beautiful Miles, and well said. I was also away from nature for awhile. I will never leave it again if I can help it.:)
Miles Moody replied
Yes, exactly; the transcendence I found there, I take with me everywhere :-))
wiscbackroadz
This photograph of the sleeping buck reminds me of a sad moment back when i was 11 years old and reminds of why i could never be a hunter, My father came home one afternoon with a buck strapped to the roof of his Bronco. Excited…we all ran out to see the buck. As i stood there looking into it’s glazed eyes once brimming with life a saddness for the poor creature came over me. I didn’t realize it at the time but all it took was that one moment & i realized i would never be a hunter. I didn’t have the heart to end such a noble creatures life. Your visuals and story lines have touched me a way that i haven’t felt in years….thank you Miles for being you….........
Miles Moody replied
Wonderful sharing, my friend! It is wonderful that you had the presence at that age to make the appropriate choice for you! It took me considerably longer to reach the same conclusion, but I’m thankful for all that I learned along the way. I’ve heard many such stories. A man once told me of shooting a duck; when he went to retrieve it, he found it’s mate enfolding it beneath a wing protectively and looking back at him in a way that changed him. I attempt to explore and write about the substance of such changing. I much appreciate your participation :-)