Red Deer (The rut)
Cervus elaphus
It’s some time since I have photographed the red deer rut. The past few years, autumn has been wet, rainy and miserable – not ideal conditions, when what you are really looking for is frosty, misty mornings…far more atmospheric!
This autumn I had been keeping my eye on the weather forecast each day, hopeful of better conditions. At last some cold weather and a clear, still night meant some mist. Bradgate Park is not far from home, about an hour’s drive, but to be there before dawn still meant an early start. Bradgate Park is approximately 850 acres with a deer herd of around 500, of which circa 150 are red deer. It offers different habitats from woodland to rocky outcrops, and the River Lin also runs through the park.
This year I was lucky – the conditions were right, and I was fortunate to witness two 180kg males fighting for dominance and the right to mate with the hinds. Five minutes of combat and over 800 pictures later, it’s been difficult to choose. The rut is over now, but I shall return next year!
