A right old scrapper.

[FrenchieBoy]

I went for a walk at my local nature reserve yesterday evening and came across this chap. He has a broken tyne and after watching him for ages I decided to try to get a better view of him by circling round to get to the direction he was browsing in and so I had the wind in my face. After about half an hour of "stalking" I got into position but he eventually spotted me and started barking furiously at me to warn his two does that I wasn't aware of and hadn't spotted in the long grass. (The last three photos are after he started barking at me and alerted his does)
Looking at his broken tyne and the way that he stood his ground while barking at me i guess that he is quite a scrapper and very good at protecting his two does and his territory.
I also spotted another buck but it was around 350 yards from me so not a good photo as it was on maximum zoom so I haven't included it, but it looked like he is still in his moult - Maybe a bit late for this time of year?
A worthwhile and enjoyable walk for me!

 

[223pg]

Nice camera work

 

[FrenchieBoy]

Nice camera work

Thank you Sir!

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I would have thought he would have been clear of any moult by now.

 

[malmick]

I would have thought he would have been clear of any moult by now.

The one I posted last year that was pretty much clear of moult by April is only just getting rid of the last of its winter coat now. Quite a lot of variation I guess.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Trying to remember, but don’t the old ones shed last? It is a way of judging age?

 

[FrenchieBoy]

I'm not sure but I thought the moult would have been over by now. The photo isn't too clear as it was taken at maximum zoom but I'll let you guys judge. Please keep in mind that this photo was taken in the evening light at max zoom with the buck being at about 350 yards away.

 

[Freeforester]

I would have thought he would have been clear of any moult by now.

Still shooting them in much remaining winter coat here. Winter coat and/or grey or white in the face is usually my criteria for ageing, and of course where they are and for how long they’ve been there. From last week, returning guest of 25 years:













Sheet the aulder animals, and ye’ll aye hae aulder animals tae sheet…

 

[Bugsy]

Nice