Axis deer at Papokaku Beach, bathed in golden dawn rays streaming through a kiawe forest. The deer were introduced to Moloka’i from India and have done well. They live in large family herds, keep their spots into adulthood and a dominant female leads the group. Watching a river of deer leaping over fences takes your breath away.

This painting was interpreted with permission from one of Richard A. Cooke’s iconic photographs of the island he calls home (with permission)