While visiting Hillside Park on morning looking for birds, I came around a protrusion of scrub growth to find myself face-to-face with this White-tailed deer buck. I think we were equally surprised to see each other, although he lingered for several moments, enough time that I was able to grab a few frames.
White-tailed deer are ubiquitous in the region, although they are most-often seen on the side of the road while driving. With the vast majority of their predators having been removed decades ago, there is little to control their population aside from the annual hunting season, which is not terribly impactful.
Still, the opportunity to meet one up close like this was its own small thrill, and made for a good – if wholly unexpected – wildlife portrait.