Greetings from Rocky Mountain National Park

“8 Facts About the Rocky Mountains The Guidebook Won’t Tell You.” The title caught my eye as I scrolled through the article online. “The Park is a wildlife paradise,” it proclaimed, painting a picture of a world where nature reigned supreme, untamed and thriving.

Eager to experience this wild haven, I set out with a group of tourists and park rangers on a trail that cut through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. The air was crisp, carrying the fresh scent of pine, while the distant murmur of rushing water winded through the valleys.

As we trekked along, a sudden movement caught my attention. There, just a few meters away, stood a deer. Her eyes locked onto mine, and I froze, my breath caught in my throat. She was so close that I could see the delicate lines of her face and the soft flicker of her ears as she tuned into the sounds of the forest. In that moment, I paused as if the entire world was holding its breath with me.

I moved slowly, careful not to break the spell, as I reached for my camera. She didn’t flinch or retreat; she simply observed me, as if we shared a mutual understanding of our roles in this silent exchange. I raised the Leica to my eye, framing her within the viewfinder. Snap. The shutter clicked softly, capturing the moment forever. As the sound faded, the deer turned and vanished into the underbrush, leaving me with the memory of our brief, yet profound, encounter.

I realized this trip had given me exactly what I’d been seeking: a genuine, unspoken connection with the wild.

Sincerely,
Jessica