We started the day at 06:38, about 30 minutes later than I planned. By the time the heeler sisters and I got home fourteen and a half hours later, I had checked a dozen or more hunters, two nice six-point bulls and collected two CWD samples.

And taken 574 photos.

Yes, 574. It was a gorgeous day. The fall leaves were almost perfect. There are a few gems in the day's collection.

Late in the afternoon, as I finished eating one of the last of her peaches, I whispered aloud, "Thanks, Mom."

"This is the life you gave me."

To no one but her and the heelers.

This morning I took over fifty shots before the sun peeked over the horizon.

This is one of those.