Morning Runs and Wild Encounters at Lake Fayetteville: A Photographer’s Perspective
As someone who spends a lot of time at Lake Fayetteville, it’s not unusual for me to encounter some unexpected moments. I’ve been running the trails here for years, and each time, I’m reminded of how beautiful and unpredictable nature can be. After an unusual experience during today’s run, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some photos I captured earlier this summer.
I was lost in thought during my run when I suddenly rounded a corner and came face-to-face with a buck—about 15 feet away. I didn’t stop to count the points on its antlers, but I’m guessing it had around four on its good side. The poor guy was a bit lop-sided. There I was, standing still, trying everything from talking to the buck to shuffling my feet, hoping it would move off the trail. But it wasn’t budging. Instead, it stared back at me for a moment before continuing to munch on the nearby grass, completely unbothered.
At this point, I was close to the paved trail, so I decided to hop onto it and finish my run, but of course, that’s when a couple approached from the other direction. All I could think about was the viral video of a mountain biker and an antelope, and I really hoped this buck wouldn’t charge. Thankfully, the couple passed without incident, and I was able to resume my run.
It’s these random encounters—whether it’s snakes, armadillos, foxes, or deer—that make each trail run at Lake Fayetteville a little different, but always memorable. Living just 15 minutes from this beautiful stretch of woods and wildlife is one of the things I love most about this area. It’s never dull, and you never know what you might encounter on the trail.
Earlier this June, I also took some time to photograph the sunrise over the spillway at Lake Fayetteville. The mornings I’ve spent watching the boats silhouetted against the rising sun have been some of my most peaceful moments. It’s funny how the best photos often come on the mornings when I leave my camera at home and simply enjoy the scene with my own eyes.
