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Red
Deer 75
Red
Deer 54
Red
deer (D) Cervas
elephus
The
red deer rut in mid October is one of the UK's most spectacular
mammal events. When congregations of deer occur the noise
of the roaring can be fantastic, with the decibel level reaching
that of lions! In England and Wales there are few places
that wild deer roam, albeit in small numbers (eg. the Forest of
Dean). Many photographers head to the zoo (animals and
people!) called Bradgate
Park near Leicester (see photo Fallow
Deer 05) where
habituated and ear tagged animals roam in a semi-natural
setting. The best place, however, is in the Scottish Highlands and
Islands where the backdrop to the photos is one of moorland or
Scots Pine - all very evocative. The above photo was taken
at a secret location (sorry!) close to my home in the Forest of Dean.
Red
Deer 66 crop
Red Deer
68
Bad
weather during October may be one reason why the rut seems so
protracted this year, and certainly a reason keeping me indoors
and away from the deer each day. My second visit to the
site brought rewards with 2 males locking antlers for the
camera. Delighted though I was at this, my third trip was
at dawn on the 27th October. Nestled in at the base of a
tree I witnessed a frantic struggle between 2 Royals (12 points)
that lasted at least 2 minutes (above). An hour earlier I recorded
the beautiful scene at the bottom of the page.
Red Deer
60
Fallow
Deer 55
Fallow
deer Cervas
dama
Fallow
deer are a widespread mammal in the British countryside, and
during the rut in October can become braver and more
conspicuous.
June
witnesses the birth of fawns. The above photo was taken in the
the heart of the Forest of Dean (2007)
Fallow
Deer 57 crop
Here's
another from the Forest of Dean showing the 2 distinct colour
variations of red and black. And below, more from the
Forest.
Fallow
Deer 51 crop
Fallow
Deer 50
Fallow
Deer 43
Fallow
Deer
05 (captive)
The
above image was taken at Bradgate Park near Leicester: a
veritable zoo of captive deer and wild people ;-). It is nevertheless
worthwhile as an easy way to get photographs of both Red and
Fallow deer. Be warned that some of the deer are very tame
and enjoy sandwiches!
Muntjac
Deer 2 (S)
Muntjac
Deer 1 (S)
Muntjac
deer Muntiacus
reevsi
Originally
from Asia, these diminutive deer were introduced by accident
into the UK and have now become widespread.
The
images are old, but I still like them.
Roe
Deer 07
crop
Roe
Deer 12 crop
Roe
deer
Very shy animals. These are true natives of the British
Isles along with the Red Deer. Photographed in Scotland.
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to British Mammals Gallery
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