Red Deer (England)

szekiat · 24th September 2006

When your longest lens is a 70-200 with 2x, shooting birds is almost out of the question. Thankfully, with a little bit of camo, its still possible to capture some Red Deer (really skittish animals they are!). One makes do i guess...

Sept to mid Oct is traditionally mating season for the Red Deer. During this time, the testosterone production in the male stags increases dramatically and they start getting aggressive. In addition, they're necks also increase in size and they start to shed the velvet on their antlers (probably a hormonal effect). The net result is that stags will start fighting each other to gather a harem of females. The stags are very protective of their harem and will bark and growl to keep other stags away, failing which, they will fight each other, often fatally. The testosterone also seems to make the antlers itch and the stags will constantly drive its antlers into bushes and against trees. This in turn contributes to the loss in velvet.

Unfortunately, richmond park, with 1000 acres of land offers more than enough space for the stags to keep apart and i was unable to capture any of the fights.

A stag just after it was done 'scratching' its antlers:

Growling to keep the other stags far away:

Female Red Deer, one of nearly 20 in the stag's harem (good life):

Reliance · 24th September 2006

Well done

Any more pics taken at Richmond Park?

raptor84 · 24th September 2006

Lovely composition and warm lighitng.

denniskee · 24th September 2006

hi szekiat, er.. you not afraid they come charging at you?

were you inside a car?

janzguy81 · 24th September 2006

I especially like the warm colours from your pictures. Very soothing to the eyes. It would be great to have such as wallpapers!

szekiat · 24th September 2006

thank you all for the kind comments. Dennis, I was shooting on foot all the way. Stalking deer sure ain't easy as they have a very acute sense of smell and vision. Also, they tend to run away rather than charge at you.

24th September 2006	#1
szekiat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,378	Red Deer (England) When your longest lens is a 70-200 with 2x, shooting birds is almost out of the question. Thankfully, with a little bit of camo, its still possible to capture some Red Deer (really skittish animals they are!). One makes do i guess... Sept to mid Oct is traditionally mating season for the Red Deer. During this time, the testosterone production in the male stags increases dramatically and they start getting aggressive. In addition, they're necks also increase in size and they start to shed the velvet on their antlers (probably a hormonal effect). The net result is that stags will start fighting each other to gather a harem of females. The stags are very protective of their harem and will bark and growl to keep other stags away, failing which, they will fight each other, often fatally. The testosterone also seems to make the antlers itch and the stags will constantly drive its antlers into bushes and against trees. This in turn contributes to the loss in velvet. Unfortunately, richmond park, with 1000 acres of land offers more than enough space for the stags to keep apart and i was unable to capture any of the fights. A stag just after it was done 'scratching' its antlers: Growling to keep the other stags far away: Female Red Deer, one of nearly 20 in the stag's harem (good life):

24th September 2006	#2
Reliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 311	Red Deer (England) Well done Any more pics taken at Richmond Park?

24th September 2006	#3
raptor84 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,282	Re: Red Deer (England) Lovely composition and warm lighitng. __________________ Pet Portrait Portfolio Stock Photos for sale

24th September 2006	#4
denniskee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: bukit batok Posts: 4,214	Re: Red Deer (England) hi szekiat, er.. you not afraid they come charging at you? were you inside a car? __________________ photography makes one sees things from all angles.

24th September 2006	#5
janzguy81 Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Hougang Posts: 215	Re: Red Deer (England) I especially like the warm colours from your pictures. Very soothing to the eyes. It would be great to have such as wallpapers!

24th September 2006	#6
szekiat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,378	Re: Red Deer (England) thank you all for the kind comments. Dennis, I was shooting on foot all the way. Stalking deer sure ain't easy as they have a very acute sense of smell and vision. Also, they tend to run away rather than charge at you.