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.

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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.

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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)

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 Here's another from the Forest of Dean showing the 2 distinct colour variations of red and black.  And below, more from the Forest.

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 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.

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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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