After having a bite to eat in the cafe it was off to the woods. I was mainly looking for stag Fallow Deer, when I came last year I saw quite a few small herds including 4 stags.
The first deer I came across this year was lying in a ditch, they was well hidden until they either smelt me of heard me,but they then got up and walked away, but one did turn and look at me and I just had time to get a shot of it.
After that it wasn't long before a saw my first stag. It was up a slope by some tree's, I tried to get as close as I could but I was spotted. I could see he was watching me so I slowly walked away from it until there was a dead tree trunk between him and me. Being out of sight and hoping that he couldn't pick up my scent I slowly turn and walked towards the trunk in the hope of getting close enough to take a couple of pictures.When I quite close I found the ideal place to click away, it can be seen in the pics below.
Just as I was about to take some pics I noticed that he wasn't alone. There was a young buck with him. I managed to take a shot or two, and then I was seen.
Damn seen again!
It now that they decided to move on to pasture new, little did they know with me in tow.
They didn't roam too far, and it was at this point when the young buck wanted to play peek- a- boo.
It was at this point (AGAIN) that I was given the evil eye.
They then headed off into the wooded area, where they wandered around,.
At one point the stag seemed to be taking out his frustration on some low branches.
As we was on our way out we came across the young buck having a good scratch.
and on the opposite side of the road I saw this, a Sika Deer. How could I not take a picture of that face.
Well no ruts this year, but all in all I was happy to see what I did see. It might not have been as plentiful as previous years but I always enjoy it, it is not the number seen that really matters it is enjoying what you do see.
Well I seem to have spent my time, this visit following a stag and a young buck around, but it was enjoyable.
As for ruts, well there is always next year.
Glad you enjoyed your visit to Knowle Ken. You got some great shots but the rut is a much more low key affair in the last couple of years. All down to Deer management ( culling ) I think.
ReplyDeleteKen ,
ReplyDeleteLike Phil says , the rut is almost non existent now at Knowle , and it will take a long time to get back to the norm .
Having said that , I was speaking to a golfer on the course on my last visit , who said that the condition of the deer is much better that before the cull . Only time will tell .
Nice set of shots .