Majestic Red Deer Stag in Bradgate Park - Taken at Bradgate Park / Leicestershire - UK
After two weeks of clouds, rain, and storms in Britain, I finally had the chance to take some photos today.
When I checked the weather report this morning and saw sunshine, I couldn’t resist grabbing my coffee and heading straight to Bradgate Park. Light changes throughout the day in terms of color, direction, brightness, and softness, offering various opportunities for all kinds of photographers. The softness of sunlight is a function of the relative size of the light source. I particularly enjoy photographing animals in soft backlight early in the morning, positioning myself approximately 50° diagonally to the light. This brings out incredible details.
For example, with deer, it reveals the protective fur around their eyes that we might otherwise overlook under normal lighting.
Today, my favorite little companion, the Robin, joined me once again. Generously, it posed under various angles of sunlight, allowing me to capture its vivid feather colors fluttering gently in the breeze. I’ve shared five photos of this colorful beauty with my Flickr friends, hoping they will enjoy them. The reflections of the blue sky in the bokeh enhance the Robin’s vibrant plumage and delicate movement.
As for the deer, now that the rut season has ended, Bradgate Park has returned to its serene state. The large male deer, still overseeing their harems, calmly graze across the vast open spaces after their morning meals.
Wildlife always surprises us photographers in unique ways, regardless of the environment. After a 3.5-hour photo tour, I’ve worked on selecting the best shots to share.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Red Deer and Fallow Deer in Bradgate Park -
Overview of Bradgate Park Location: Situated in Leicestershire, England, Bradgate Park is a historic 850-acre park known for its stunning landscapes, ancient oak trees, and free-roaming deer herds.The park dates back over 800 years and was once a medieval deer park. It is also the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days’ Queen.
Unique Features of Bradgate Park’s Deer Herds -
Mixed Herds: Bradgate Park is unique in hosting both red deer and fallow deer together, offering visitors the chance to observe their different behaviors and characteristics.
Scenic Beauty: The deer are often spotted against a backdrop of rolling hills, woodlands, and the ruins of Bradgate House, creating picturesque views year-round.
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) -
Physical Characteristics -
Size: Red deer are the largest native land mammals in the UK. Stags (males) can reach a shoulder height of 120 cm and weigh up to 190 kg.
Appearance: They have a reddish-brown coat in summer, which turns greyish-brown in winter. Males grow large, branched antlers, which are shed annually.
Behavior and Habitat -
Habits: Red deer are highly social and form separate herds for males and females outside the breeding season.
Rutting Season: From September to November, stags engage in dramatic battles for mating rights, with loud roaring and clashing antlers echoing across the park.
Diet: They graze on grass, heather, and browse on shrubs and trees.
Fallow Deer (Dama dama) -
Physical Characteristics -
Size: Slightly smaller than red deer, fallow deer stand about 90 cm at the shoulder and weigh up to 90 kg.
Appearance: Their coat varies from white to dark brown, with the most common being a fawn-colored coat with white spots in summer. Males have broad, flattened antlers known as "palmate" antlers.
Behavior and Habitat-
Habits: Fallow deer are more timid than red deer and are often seen grazing in groups.
Rutting Season: Similar to red deer, their rut occurs in autumn, with bucks (males) making groaning sounds and engaging in antler battles.
Diet: They feed on grasses, leaves, and sometimes bark during winter months.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
Majestic Red Deer Stag in Bradgate Park - Taken at Bradgate Park / Leicestershire - UK
After two weeks of clouds, rain, and storms in Britain, I finally had the chance to take some photos today.
When I checked the weather report this morning and saw sunshine, I couldn’t resist grabbing my coffee and heading straight to Bradgate Park. Light changes throughout the day in terms of color, direction, brightness, and softness, offering various opportunities for all kinds of photographers. The softness of sunlight is a function of the relative size of the light source. I particularly enjoy photographing animals in soft backlight early in the morning, positioning myself approximately 50° diagonally to the light. This brings out incredible details.
For example, with deer, it reveals the protective fur around their eyes that we might otherwise overlook under normal lighting.
Today, my favorite little companion, the Robin, joined me once again. Generously, it posed under various angles of sunlight, allowing me to capture its vivid feather colors fluttering gently in the breeze. I’ve shared five photos of this colorful beauty with my Flickr friends, hoping they will enjoy them. The reflections of the blue sky in the bokeh enhance the Robin’s vibrant plumage and delicate movement.
As for the deer, now that the rut season has ended, Bradgate Park has returned to its serene state. The large male deer, still overseeing their harems, calmly graze across the vast open spaces after their morning meals.
Wildlife always surprises us photographers in unique ways, regardless of the environment. After a 3.5-hour photo tour, I’ve worked on selecting the best shots to share.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Red Deer and Fallow Deer in Bradgate Park -
Overview of Bradgate Park Location: Situated in Leicestershire, England, Bradgate Park is a historic 850-acre park known for its stunning landscapes, ancient oak trees, and free-roaming deer herds.The park dates back over 800 years and was once a medieval deer park. It is also the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days’ Queen.
Unique Features of Bradgate Park’s Deer Herds -
Mixed Herds: Bradgate Park is unique in hosting both red deer and fallow deer together, offering visitors the chance to observe their different behaviors and characteristics.
Scenic Beauty: The deer are often spotted against a backdrop of rolling hills, woodlands, and the ruins of Bradgate House, creating picturesque views year-round.
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) -
Physical Characteristics -
Size: Red deer are the largest native land mammals in the UK. Stags (males) can reach a shoulder height of 120 cm and weigh up to 190 kg.
Appearance: They have a reddish-brown coat in summer, which turns greyish-brown in winter. Males grow large, branched antlers, which are shed annually.
Behavior and Habitat -
Habits: Red deer are highly social and form separate herds for males and females outside the breeding season.
Rutting Season: From September to November, stags engage in dramatic battles for mating rights, with loud roaring and clashing antlers echoing across the park.
Diet: They graze on grass, heather, and browse on shrubs and trees.
Fallow Deer (Dama dama) -
Physical Characteristics -
Size: Slightly smaller than red deer, fallow deer stand about 90 cm at the shoulder and weigh up to 90 kg.
Appearance: Their coat varies from white to dark brown, with the most common being a fawn-colored coat with white spots in summer. Males have broad, flattened antlers known as "palmate" antlers.
Behavior and Habitat-
Habits: Fallow deer are more timid than red deer and are often seen grazing in groups.
Rutting Season: Similar to red deer, their rut occurs in autumn, with bucks (males) making groaning sounds and engaging in antler battles.
Diet: They feed on grasses, leaves, and sometimes bark during winter months.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)