Just A Couple Of Bucks - And Their Does

I spotted the Epping Green deer crew from the van this afternoon. They were relaxing and I was able to get a good view of them from the road. Two bucks were in the herd. The one on the left is the younger I think. First year bucks just have spikes. In subsequent years brow tines and palmation develops. The buck on the right has a more pronounced palmate area to its antlers. The antlers grow larger each year and become shovel-shaped.

Both bucks are dark, descended from those brought to the UK from Norway by James I. The one on the left has light underparts and the older beast is completely dark.