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.
awesome post. i can almost imagine each deer's disney cartoon persona.
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