October, 2013
Red deer photography during the annual rutting season is a truly thrilling experience. This year we were a bit worried that we have missed it as we had to make a trip abroad. Luckily, ten days later the mating season was not over yet. The weather didn't cooperate with us very well but we can not complain too much with the results.
After a few rainy days, finally we were rewarded with some great mornings. This year we had a preconceive idea of a roaring dear under the tree in the first light of sunrise with a clear full disc of sun. It didn't turn out exactly how we wanted but we were happy with the results.
As it was getting chillier every passing day, we kept fingers crossed for some cold mornings. It seems that it helped. A clear and cold Friday night have guaranteed a beautiful Saturday morning and a good chance to photograph how hot breath was steaming up the air. It is one of our favourite sights.
When a light frost melted away under the autumn sun, we were left with sparkling jewels of dew and spider webs.
Mist gives marvelous photographic opportunities. Luckily we had some misty mornings as they are quite common in autumn. One of them was particular memorable. Mist have definitely added an air of mystery to a glorious early morning.
A week later the mating season was over for most of the stags ... except one.
He kept roaring and chasing females for one more week.
We came back to the site a week later. Sadly but we had to admit that the rutting season ended.
This year it was a brilliant experience capturing red deer in different light which let us to create very different images. We still haven't made an image which is in our minds. We can't wait for the next rutting season.