The autumn colors had come and gone quickly this year. As I stood nearly chest deep in the cold river, concealed by my floating photography blind, consumed in thought, I pondered back on the year, full of so many fun adventures. Spring and summer had been spent with all manner of birds, foxes and bears. Every week presented something new to photograph and experience, and then just like that autumn had arrived. I love this time of year. I look forward to the crisp chill in the air, the vibrant colors that blanket the mountains and the sound of Elk bugling deep in the timber. I’d looked forward to the beautiful autumn colors all year, and just like that, they were already fading and mostly gone. Only a couple trees still held onto their bright, gold, red and orange foliage.

Rejoining reality, I looked around me from my hidden position inside the blind. OH MY GOODNESS! A Wood Duck drake was heading my direction, exactly the bird I was hoping to photograph this morning. I quickly scanned the river bank and found one of those few trees, still draped in radiant, golden color. I slowly repositioned the blind, hoping the gorgeous Wood Duck would not notice the subtle movement.

There! With Wood Duck and tree aligned, I held my position and began to photograph the beautiful scene. The colors may have faded quickly this year, but this moment would forever live on in my memory.