It has been a strange autumn in our part of England, leaves are still on the trees and overall the countryside looks green. Whist reports of Red Deer Rutting have been coming in from Exmoor to the south and Scotland to the north, our Stags have been particularly quiet and keeping a low profile. But all that seems to have changed this week.
It was their loud Rutting roar we first heard, tracing the direction and stalking slowly we eventually found them.
First one to the left………
Then another, a particularly noise one, to the right………
And then after a good deal of strutting and posing they would eye each other up…..
The off they would chase and end up grappling with their antlers….but I have to say it look none too serious compared with what we have witnessed on previous years…..
It was of course the Hinds that were the cause of all this noisy activity but again I have to say they all seemed indifferent to all the male posturing….Calm was the order of this autumn afternoon……
Even when the odd stag did get ‘up close and not quite personal’ they seem indifferent to the advances…….
I am beginning to suspect that most of the hinds are very young, indeed there are a few very young stags amongst them…and they seemed to be having a good deal of harmless fun ….
As for the older Stags…well they to seemed to call it a day till another time, whilst keeping an eye and an ear open for the opposition, all that was left to do was just stand arround with a macho look…..
Before heading off into the sunset to find somewhere to graze in peace….tomorrow is another day……
Just to emphasis the point that autumn has yet to arrive proper, this Oak in the evening light still bursts with leaf and green…..
But as we said…tomorrow is a different day….and today was another great one to remember….
29th October
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 
These are fantastic
LikeLike
Tar very much
LikeLike
Beautiful animals – and trees!!! Made my day!
LikeLike
Made my day too….and no storm damage here, we were so lucky.
LikeLike
The first three are real crackers – sublime light to-boot
LikeLike
Thanks Scott…it was a great afternoon,
LikeLike
Great series!
LikeLike
Wow, David. How lucky to experience such beauty!!!! And to think how many people take this for granted. I love when I see your images cause they transport me right into the scene and I become one with them. Thank you.. Laz
LikeLike
That is kind of you…..I will try to keep your interest over the winter we are sure to get eventually. Best wishes
LikeLike
Absolutely spectacular, David. How fortunate you are to be able to experience the elegance and drama that these magnificent animals provide. Were they within hiking distance of where you live?
LikeLike
A short drive away. Then a nice walk through woodland to the Deer Park…then its is luck just where they are!. Usually very very careful stalking is needed but when the Stags have other things on their minds you can be a little more bold and get closer without them taking flight. Still tripods are out and its hand held and hold your breath with a long lens
LikeLike
Wonderful photos, David. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you….so pleased that you like.
LikeLike
Handsome fellas and great shots! The rut is here, too. Living in the mountains, we often get a lot of activity right in our back yard this time of year.
LikeLike