This is a long narrative, but I think it is worth sticking with it.
Okay, so last week I went to Tatton Park, mainly to photograph the deer. As you enter the park, you have to pay to park your car. The attendant gives a you ticket and a few other bits of paper, some telling you what's on in the hall etc, a map, it's a large place, and another piece of paper with the following written on it.
Deer Rut.
Keep well away from the deer.
They can act aggressively when disturbed.
Thank You.
As he gave me the change, he added, maybe spotting the camera, " Don't Approach the Deer."
So I had been warned. Anyway, I drove up to near the bird hide, parked and went in and spend far too long in there. Anyway, I came out and thought it was about time to go and find some deer.
I walked up the road and soon found a herd of Red Deer. I wasn't doing anything wrong, the herd was over on the grass. Cars were driving past them on the road and there was a steady stream of walkers, dog walkers and joggers passing. Occasionally having to thread a way through the hinds as they strayed on to the road.
The Stag, ( the one above) in this herd was at the back of the herd and I couldn't get a clear shot of him, so I kept walking to another herd where the Stag was out in the open. To get a better shot of him, and because of the light, I walked across the grass but that was actually taking me further away from him. Any way this second Stag suddenly started bellowing at the first stag. I thought oh good, perfectly placed to get shots of two dominant stags fighting.
Anyway, it wasn't to be, the first stag sat down in quite a good spot midway between two trees and ignored the roaring.
I got some shots of the second stag, and moved back towards the first stag.
I stood there for a while, in the hope he would stand up and give me a chance of a nice shot by the trees. There was still quite a few people passing, closer than I was, I needed the distance because of a long lens. In fact a young stag and hind walked right past me, totally ignoring me, and continued eating the grass just feet behind me.
Watching through the camera, I suddenly saw the stag jump to his feet. He took a few steps forward, and I could see something had upset him, and he was on alert.
He was watching something very intently, not taking his eyes off it. His whole mood had changed, his body was tensed, something was wrong.
To read part two, click here.......
http://365project.org/markp/Alternatively/07-10-2016
