Last Hurrah of the Rut

The red deer stag rut has nearly come to a finish and this bellow was a last hurrah this morning.

A four o'clock alarm, two hour drive and then a wait in the carpark till at least it was possible to see something in the gloom. It never fails to give me a shiver of excitement so set out early morning to track down an animal or bird at a time you wouldn't otherwise get the shot.

Having wandered round with little on camera in the gloom I spotted Sue standing by the pond looking at the swans - no change there :)) Lovely to see her again and we both later trotted to see an elusive kingfisher but it was quite cold and having been there since before sunup we called it a day. I am in her extra looking a tad chilly!