Ashridge - Fallow Deer Bucks and the October Rut

More photos from the end of October of the Fallow Deer Rut on the Ashridge Estate.

 

This very mature Fallow Deer Buck was surprised by some walkers on the path and came crashing into the wood near to where I was slowly working my way through the forest looking for deer.  I was fortunate enough that it stood for a moment in a fairly reasonably well lit place.

 

Later I heard the sharp cracks of bucks fighting with their antlers deep in the dark forest.  They were only just visible to the naked eye in the dark shadows, yet with a bit of work in Photoshop, I came up with this very grainy and discoloured photo.  Initially the camera needed quite a fast shutter speed to freeze the action, which led to almost black originals. 

 

A mature buck successfully mounting a doe for a few seconds....

 

.....whilst a young buck (possibly a one year old called a 'pricket' because of its short antlers - maybe this was in fact a two year old) practices mounting on a doe in a group on the edge of the rutting area.

 

An usual shot of a double headed fallow deer with a Buck and Does heads!