Red Deer

The UK’s largest land mammals, red deer, are the royalty of our woodland. These are a collection of some of my favourite moments of the last few years.

Emerging from the mist

A lone stag silhouetted against the grassland, clouded by bright orange mist. This stunning morning light created a magical atmosphere into which this stag emerged to create a perfect shot.
Spayad

An immature stag among ferns, looks intently to the side. This young male deer, or spayad, was on the edge of the rutting stand, watching as the less dominant male was chased off as he tried to mate with the hinds or female deer.
Innocence

A young red deer calf looks quizzically, almost comically around, against the soft forest background. (It would be good to add a link here to your blog post about backgrounds.) This young deer was treading softly in its mother’s footsteps, emerging cautiously from the woods.
Hide & Seek

A mature stag, partially hidden by a large tree trunk, can just be seen as the sun bursts through the foliage. In the early morning light you can still see the mist rising off the forest ground.
The Pretender

A stag stares directly into the camera in bright daylight, grass hanging from one antler. I think this stag’s headdress was intended to make him appear bigger and more dominant.

More from the gallery

Atlantic Puffin