All the fuss is over - # 126/2011

A few weeks ago a fellow Richmond area photographer, Robert Piper, captured some moments of extremely violent aggression in Bushey Park as stags fought during the annual rut.  His photos made the national press and went even further around the world.


My trip to Richmond Park, during the same period, was obviously poorly orchestrated!  I found nothing but peace and harmony.  I kept my distance from this huge bruiser as he sat with his 20 or so hinds.  I didn't want to annoy him.  However, this extreme crop from the 400mm lens has come out well, to show that life is not always "total war" - depending on the precise moment when you view it. 

The sleeping stag - # 08/241

The Autumn leaves have suddenly fallen and the sunlight now floods through the wood at a low angle casting delightful patches of light and shade and highlighting the contrasts of early Autumn colours. Some greens still persist, some half green half golden brown shows where Summer is making a last stand against winter.

Pressing deep into the secluded woods of Richmond Park we find deer and squirrels feeding on fallen chestnuts, and suddenly come across the unexpected..........a stag, around 12 or more years old judging by his points (they are hard to count accurately), is fast asleep.

Me? I'm just a sweeeet bundle of testosterone - # 08/192

Here he is. A handsome "5 pointer" enjoying his fresh blackberries (thorns included), and so engrossed he took no notice of me.

It's hard to imagine that in about 8 weeks time he'll be a brawling woman crazy stag warning everyone to keep away.

Cold, damp and wild in Richmond Park 5- # 346

Walking from the valley, up through the woods we come out on the high plateau. As we come out of the trees we notice.......a large group of red deer stags perfectly camouflaged, their antlers looking like dead wood sticking up among the bracken.

In October the stags were fighting and staking out their piece of ground and guarding their group of ladies. Now, the stags all bunch together in male harmony, and the ladies, likewise, browse in female groups.

To answer a couple of questions;

@Peter yesterday.....they generally move away if you get closer than 50 meters, so they are not so easy to photograph nicely with a standard camera.

@Freefalling.....the deer don't attack, but if dogs or people annoy them they do become dangerously aggressive, especially the stags. In October the stags are very agressive.

Camera: Olympus E3 at about 200mm hand-held, 1/320 sec, f4.0. Auto WB.

I'm 64, you know - # 343

......... Really? You don't look a day over 8.

Today is my birthday! I snapped these two handsome chaps (7-8 year olds by my estimate counting the points on their antlers) a couple of days ago.

My good wishes to all of you out there.