Big Daddy

It must be truly exhausting to be the dominant stag, trying to control a large harem of does, keeping them safe from the depredations of the other testosterone-fuelled stags and finding time for plenty of sex (this was one of the more discreet images). 

I watched the deer herd at Burghley Park for over an hour and a half, and it was way better than a soap opera! Big Daddy was on the go the whole time, grunting and roaring, chasing off his competitors and mating with two different does, a normal coloured one and this very pale one. I love the watchful gaze of the two young does to the right! 

He certainly didn't have time to eat or rest and on some of the closer views you can see that his neck's covered with battle scars - it's no wonder that many dominant stags don't recover from the exertions of the rut.

I've added a few other images in the extras.