Shadows Assignment Winner Vassili Balocco

“Photographing deer in the mating season is amazing and offers the chance to observe different interesting behaviors,” explains Balocco. “On this occasion, I was in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park in Italy under my camouflage hide with a wonderful valley before my eyes while I heard a belling deer quite close behind me. I slowly and quietly rotated my tripod and started shooting this big male that didn’t seem to realize I was there. I had some time before he left and I managed to take a few nice photos. But, more importantly, it was a wonderful experience.”