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31 Jan 2008 • 469 views

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Sika Deer

Family Group

Last Sunday, when we went for a walk in the New Forest near Beaulieu, we saw a group of Sika Deer. (*edit 01/02/08 - At first incorrectly identified as Red Deer). It's the first time I've ever seen these deer in the wild. We were able to watch them for a few minutes until they caught our scent.

I'm indulging myself this week and will be posting a picture of these beautiful animals each day until Saturday. All the pictures were taken with my Olympus E-400 and the 'kit' 40-150 mm lens.

Having spotted the first group of deer we then saw these, close enough to be part of the same family, but down a slope. They seemed to notice us straight away, but did little more than sniff the air and carry on eating.

Young and old Oak trees here too, as well as fallen timber. The green clumps are Holly, eaten to ground level by both the deer and ponies. There isn't much left of the old bracken, although I don't think any mammals eat it. The new fronds will be appearing through the ground soon, eventually making dense green areas which are good places for the creatures to hide.
..........

Mike (Plentyog) has a superb pictures of Red Deer on his site this week.
http://plentyog.shutterchance.com/archive.php
.

camera	E-400
exposure mode	aperture priority
shutterspeed	1/60s
aperture	f/7.1
sensitivity	ISO200
focal length	119.0mm
resolution	897x700 pixels

Sika Deer

comments (25)

Martin

United States

31 Jan 2008, 00:18

They make great pictures, but I am amazed that you have such large populations of these. Is there a hunting ban in effect? I used to live in Princeton, NY, where the deer were completely out of control because nothing and nobody was keeping them in check.

Ellie: I'm amazed too - I really and truly have never seen anything like this before. No, there's no hunting with hounds any more, but the deer haven't been hunted like that for many years - just foxes. I believe the numbers are 'managed' by the Verderers and Agisters.

José-Angel

Catalonia

31 Jan 2008, 01:09

Precious nature. A great photo, Ellie!

Rémi Côté

Québec, Canada

31 Jan 2008, 04:12

Great deer shot.

I also appreciate vegetation and colors all around.

It's some kind of magic forest.

Ellie: It is a magical place, at any time of year. These deer make it even more special

Jewlya

United States

31 Jan 2008, 04:18

Another lovely deer shot. They seem so peaceful, even with you right there.

Ellie: I checked the pictures, I was taking them for about 10 minutes, they weren't really bothered.

Astrid

The Netherlands

31 Jan 2008, 05:21

I love the serie, this one too is very crisp, this is how nature should be, nice job here Ellie

Ellie: I'm glad you like them Astrid, and yes, this is how nature should be. I'm so lucky to have had the privilege to see these creatures.

ray

Thailand

31 Jan 2008, 05:44

Great! The animals are almost incidental extras in this gorgeous shot of the woods.

Ellie: That's why I didn't crop in too close - so you could see how we might have missed seeing the deer. They blend in so well and also seem insignificant somehow

Richa

United States

31 Jan 2008, 06:01

For some reason I like the trees more than the deers in this one. May be its because the lighting is so beautiful on them..

Ellie: Oh Richa, the trees are always the stars of the show, especially the oaks. On a sunny day, at any time of the year, they look majestically beautiful

kunle lowo

Nigeria

31 Jan 2008, 08:09

Looks like a beautiful family picnic to me

Ellie: It does rather, doesn't it - I think that's almost what it was

Ginnie

United States

31 Jan 2008, 08:16

I love that there is always one or two sentries on the lookout, Ellie, and the others go about their business. Look at all the tails facing you!!!

Ellie: Fascinating isn't it. I'm sure somebody somewhere knows all about 'deer behaviour', sadly I don't - I wonder if they deliberately post lookouts?

Gishan

31 Jan 2008, 08:19

wow.nice picture Ellie. you definitly got their attention.

Ellie: We did, but they weren't particularly worried

Sheila

31 Jan 2008, 08:22

I know this series is focussing on the deer, but in this shot they really seen ti to be secondary to the gorgeous woodland scene. Those colours are beautiful.

Ellie: It's a magical place to walk. I chose to upload almost the full picture to show how these lovely animals slot neatly into their surroundings, almost as an extra feature. I probably need to try my hand at landscapes - to share the beauty of this area with you all.

Francis

Singapore

31 Jan 2008, 10:23

Beautiful captured on nature the golden light is also complementing to this composition.

Ellie: The light on Sunday was wonderful - sunshine for the first time in weeks.

Ann

Sucé sur Erdre - France

31 Jan 2008, 11:18

Beautiful one !!! I love the tones ...

Ellie: I think you can almost feel nature waking up for the spring.

Tracy

Stoke on Trent UK

31 Jan 2008, 13:53

The deer almost look like statues Ellie. You have captured this with lots of atmosphere, well done

Ellie: Thanks Tracy, I assure you they weren't statues, they were far more interested in eating than anything I was doing.

Richard Standley

France

31 Jan 2008, 16:01

Great shot Ellie. I love the lighting

Ellie: Thanks - the sunshine helped such a lot

tim

United Kindom

31 Jan 2008, 17:19

oh my what a beautiful scene Ellie, you must have felt really privileged to get so close to these wonderful animals

Ellie: It was a privilege, one I shall treasure. When I look at the pictures they make me smile

Bill Phillips

Droitwich..bit cold and blowy

31 Jan 2008, 19:52

I envy you getting this close and getting such a good picture.

Ellie: I still can't quite believe it, we were so lucky, and we watched them for about ten minutes too, before we left them in peace

Louis

South Africa

31 Jan 2008, 20:31

What a forest! The trees are magnificent. I would loose myself in a place like this. Nice white hearts that the does have on their backsides.

Overall a great picture.

Ellie: It's a wonderful place to walk Louis, the New Forest at its absolute best, ancient woodland kept in order mostly by the wildlife.

Noa

London

31 Jan 2008, 21:36

Nice, sharp nature shot. Like it.

Ellie: Thank you, we were lucky

blackdog

Great Britain (UK)

31 Jan 2008, 21:53

Another glimpse of something I have never seen in the wild - captivating ;o)

Ellie: If you're ever down this way I can take you to where you're almost guaranteed to see Fallow Deer, last time I was there the weather wasn't good enough to use my camera, but I'll go again and "see what I can see".

Aussie

Brisbane

31 Jan 2008, 23:43

Love the big fellow with the antlers.

pixelpixie

Great Britain (UK)

1 Feb 2008, 18:41

Ellie, why don't you submit this image, the mother song thrush feeding her young image and a few others to Wildlife Photographer or Outdoor Photographer for publication as a reader's Portfolio?

Of all your deer shots so far, this for me is the best and you know what I think about the thrush family. They really deserve to be in print!

David Bird

Edinburgh, Scotland

6 Feb 2008, 21:04

Wonderful capture!

ric

7 Feb 2008, 23:35

Well this is a great shot, glad i clicked on your name aftera comment on my photo. This is so sharp too, well done

Imaginerf

France

9 Feb 2008, 11:52

The best of the serie so far ! Bravo ! Likey !!

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