As all who photograph know that at some point or another, you are going to encounter that moment when you are looking eye to eye with your subject in your photograph.  The image for “The Encounter” is of a young mountain goat, that has come out of the treeline onto the snowfield.  As I was photographing a different mountain goat in the treeline, this young goat in the photograph walked up and decided to be curious to what I was doing.  A simple encounter of curiosity that last several minutes before the young mountain goat went on about her way.

As with any wildlife, under any circumstance, always use caution for both your safety and the safety of the animal.  There will be times wildlife and humans will come in close contact with each other, depending on the animal, always use your best judgment and advice of Rangers to ensure the encounter has a happy ending for all.