The Rut

At the entrance to Tatton Park a big sign announced something along the lines of “deer rut, stay away from the deer”. So we did, except ........

The deer kept moving. Groups of hinds would head to where we were heading. With a hopeful stag not far behind. At one point we had them behind us and to the front and right of us. We went left and then had to stop to let another group of hinds and a following stag pass.

There were more people around than we had anticipated. The long lens crew were out in force. Each large group of deer had hinds, a stag, and a few photographers. We did not go that close (this image is quite cropped). But got closer than we liked once or twice.

The bellowing of the stags at this time of year is atmospheric, and a bit too close up, unsettling.