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“You want to take a walk with me?” I ask Sela after helping get the girls settled.
“Sure.”
I grab my coat and my camera and meet her at the front door.
Sela bundles up in her coat and matching hat, gloves, and scarf.
“Where are we going?” she asks as we step out into the chilly night air.
“I wanted to get a few shots of the lake and the bridge at night,” I tell her.
“You already got photos of the bridge,” she reminds me.
“I know, but it was crowded with other elf hunters that night. I’d like to get some tranquil snaps of the lights reflecting in the water with the mountains in the background,” I explain.
We walk side by side across the street and down the sidewalk. The glow from the lampposts illuminate her face as snowflakes gather in her hair that is peeking beneath her hat.
I reach for her hand as we fall into step together.
When we arrive at the bridge, I let go of her and take my camera in hand, the chill of the snowy mountainside biting through my gloves. My breath mingles with the frosty air as I adjust the lens and point it in her direction.
“I thought you wanted photos without people in them.”
“People, no. Just you,” I say.
She shakes her head as I click the button, and the flash highlights her figure against the vast expanse of the dark waters.
Suddenly, movement catches my eye. A massive moose, its antlers crowned with snow, stands proudly against the white backdrop of the lake’s bank behind her.
“Sela, look,” I whisper as I lift my chin over her shoulder.
She turns and gasps. “Oh my goodness, look at him.”
I take her hand and lead her across the bridge so I can get a better angle.
With silent steps, we approach the majestic creature, careful not to startle it.
I raise my camera, fingers steady despite the cold.
Click.
The shutter captures the moose’s regal presence, its eyes reflecting both curiosity and alertness.
“It’s okay, big fella. We won’t hurt you,” I whisper.
Sela stands beside me, quiet as a mouse.
Time seems to stand still as we observe the moose, its powerful form in contrast with the pristine snow—a living testament to the wild beauty of the mountains.
I continue snapping pictures of the graceful animal as it turns to head back into the cover of the forest, its movements deliberate yet elegant. The snowflakes dance around it, adding a touch of magic to the tranquil moment.
“This place is something else,” I mutter as the moose disappears into the trees.
Sela’s arms snake around me, and her chin rests on my shoulder.
I can feel her body shiver against my back.
“I should get you back inside,” I say.
