Stepping out of woodland cover onto a scattered carpet of fallen leaves, the majestic eight-point buck stands motionless. Vigilant, he breathes in the morning's crisp, cold air; searching for a scent of danger; ever watchful for a whisper of movement. Trees thick with sheltering green are now thinning. Hillsides blaze with fiery russet and gold. His protective cover slowly changing as the sweltering heat of summer melts into the riotous colors of Fall.  Photographed and signed by Brian Credille, Belmont, Mississippi.