A female elk and her calf walk in the shallow waters of the Gardner River, making their way to the herd, which is grazing nearby. My high vantage point and medium 60mm focal length enable me to feature the snow-splashed environment, and thereby tell my story. It is a story of maternal instincts, the bitter cold Montana weather, icy rivers and snowy banks. The colors are muted, as chilly as the temperature. The only warmth in the image comes from the vulnerable pair of brown elk cautiously wending their way home to the herd.