Imperial Gaze

I often see deer in the pine woodlot that backs our yard and was delighted one November day to spot this solitary buck resting by a tree. For about an hour I sat inside watching him, sketching and photographing through the glass doors. He seemed completely oblivious to me as I enjoyed his pose, until that electrified moment when he turned that regal head and shot me a penetrating look that gave me this painting - a look that only a monarch could possess.