Red Deer in Windsor Great Park - Page 3
November 6, 2006
November 6, 2006
It would be lovely say that with stealth and cunning I crept, crawled and slithered my way to within shooting (with a camera) distance of these magnificent animals. However, let's say, rather, that ... well, those large oaks are good for hiding a multitude of sins.. including an aging, overweight, would be wildlife photographer. What I did was stroll casually from tree to tree, keeping them between the deer and myself. When I got close enough, I leaned around the last tree and started taking photos of a group of hinds directly in front of me. The deer were not much impressed and you will note in one of the pictures below that quite a few of them are staring at me. I don't even want to guess what they might have been thinking.
Note the crow on the hind laying down. I wonder if it's the same crow that was on the lone stag?
I was busy photographing the hinds and all the while kept hearing a low whistle. Finally I turned around to ask Steve what it might be. To my surprise, he wasn't behind me as I'd thought, but one tree back across a stretch of open field; and it was he who was whistling. He nodded his head, indicating I should look to my left. Following his gaze, I turned back; there, resting on the ground, was a regal stag, watching me. I was awestruck. How long I stood there, camera forgotten, watching the stag watch me, I don't know. Eventually it occurred to me that I might be wasting a precious photographic opportunity. Had I blown it? Would he leave before I captured any decent photos?
A moment to remember
