Red Deer 1 (S)

Red deer   Cervas elephus

The red deer rut is one of the UK's most spectacular mammal events.  And 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 just a few places that wild deer roam, albeit in small numbers.  However, many photographers head to the zoo (animals and people!) called Bradgate Park near Leicester (see photo Fallow Deer 05) or Richmond Park, where habituated 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 (above photograph).

Red Deer 66 crop

Red Deer 68

The rut is always a big draw for photographers yet strangely an image of deer actually locked in battle is still quite rare.  I made several visits over the years to deer in and around the Forest of Dean, Exmoor and also Scotland to see what I could achieve, and I hope you like the results.

Red Deer 60 composite

Red Deer 61 composite

Red Deer 42

Red deer are majestic animals and look good whatever from standing still to running...

Red Deer 01 running

Motion shot that reminds me of the ancient wildwood, an abstract sometimes seen in Cave Art going back to the Paleolithic.  Shamans and Pagan cultures often dressed themselves with deer antlers and skin to help them contact the spirits....

Red Deer 02 running

..Cernnunos the hunter also represents the deer rut and other yearly rituals, including symbolic cycles of death and rebirth....

Red Deer 53b

Red Deer 80

Fallow Deer 55

Fallow deer   Cervas dama

Fallow deer are a widespread mammal in the British countryside, but are nevertheless invasive species.  Introduced into the UK specifically for sport hunting they have now colonised large tracts of the British countryside.   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 02

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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