White-tailed Deer: Rachel Carson NWR, Old Headquarters, Wells, Maine, USA, June 2026 — I came back from a short walk around the headlands trail at the old Rachel Carson MWR headquarters with just too many treasures! This young White-tailed Deer was feeding on fresh maple leaves from saplings in the undergrowth right beside the trail. The folks ahead of me walked right past it, even though at that point it was only maybe 4 feet from the trail behind the first layer of brush. It stayed there, gently feeding, while I attempted photos through the thicket, and only moved off slowly after I showed it to the folks behind me on the trail. It was a very special few moments. I don’t know why it felt so secure, but I am happy that, for the moment, it did. (Hopefully, it will be less trusting by hunting season.) Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary. 86mm and 450mm equivalent fields of view. Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.