July Views around Ashridge

Some views taken around Ashridge this July.

Morning Shadows Ivinghoe Beacon

Fallow Deer in the grass Ashridge

Evening shadows Ivinghoe Hills

Evening rays of sun from Steps Hill

Fallow Deer Coat Variations

The Ashridge Estate is the home to a large number of Fallow Deer. The majority of the deer that I have observed are melanistic, having a dark, almost black coat, rather than the classic light brown with white spots.

This melanistic male (called a Buck, rather than a Stag apparently) was photographed in October 2010 during the rut.

The ancient clearings within the forest remain, which gives a good opportunity to photograph the deer in the light without the trees getting in the way.

An individual young buck has extremely light colouring

Running away with melanistic members of the young bucks group

This poor photograph is the only one I have of a white buck seen very occasionally in 2009, and not seen since.

Rutland Water early July

Rutland Water's first Breeding Avocet in flight

The flashes of a swarm of minute flies as their wings catch the sun. Taken with the macro at 1/50th of a second, demostrating that they rotate their wings 650 times a second. Amazing

A colourful Lichen that caught my eye

A Black-Headed Gull in flight

Sunset at the hide whilst waiting for the Barn Owl, which didn't turn up this trip

More Early Morning Ashridge Estate

Sun on the dewey grass

Male Marbled White - Pity about missing antena

Hover-flies on Thistle

Early Morning from Ivinghoe Beacon