Fallow Deer Fawn / Dama dama - Taken at Bradgate Park / Leicestershire - UK
A Chilly Morning in Bradgate Park -
Despite the freezing 0°C temperature this morning, I couldn’t resist heading out for a photo tour. The grey winter skies, often caused by increasingly frequent storms due to climate change, can be quite discouraging. However, the soft, glowing hues of the early morning sun always have a magical effect on nature, enhancing every frame we capture and bringing joy to photography enthusiasts like myself. Even the simple act of saying good morning feels different on a bright, sunny day.
Living near the historic Bradgate Park is truly a privilege. As I stepped into the park and took a short five-minute walk, I came across two fallow deer fawns (Dama dama) wandering alone, separated from their herd. Without my camouflage cover, I had to move carefully, stepping only on the damp, soft leaves to avoid making any noise. My 1.4x teleconverter wasn’t attached to my 500mm lens, and attempting to change it would have startled them.
As I observed, a group of jackdaws landed on one of the fawns, searching for ticks and other insects in its fur. It was a beautiful display of interspecies cooperation, and I was delighted to witness this moment of solidarity. Both seemed quite at ease, and the interaction lasted for about two minutes. The young fawn was busy with its morning meal and didn’t allow the jackdaws near its neck. Eventually, it leapt slightly, signaling that it had had enough, and the two little companions trotted back toward their family.
Although it wasn’t the exact shot I had envisioned, I plan to work on this subject in the coming weeks and hope to capture even better frames. One particularly striking moment was when a jackdaw perched near the tail of a fallow deer, beautifully framed against the golden bokeh created by the sunlight reflecting in the background.
During my four-hour tour, I also managed to photograph another fallow deer cautiously keeping an eye on me, maintaining a safe distance. And of course, no trip to Bradgate Park would be complete without capturing my favorite small bird—the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)! I included three different poses of this charming little bird as well.
Now, I leave you with the nine images I uploaded to my Flickr account this afternoon. Thank you all for your comments, favorites, and support. Wishing you a great evening!
Fallow Deer Fawn (Dama dama)
The Fallow Deer (Dama dama) is one of the most recognizable and widespread deer species in the UK, known for its beautiful spotted coat. Its fawns are particularly charming and are a favorite subject for wildlife photographers.
Identification
Size: At birth, fawns weigh approximately 4-5 kg.
Coat:
Newborn fawns have a light brown coat with prominent white spots that provide camouflage in grassy or woodland areas.
As they mature, the spots may fade but are still visible in the summer coat of adults.
Eyes: Large, dark eyes that enhance their endearing appearance.
Behavior
Birth Season: Fawns are typically born between May and July.
Hiding: For the first few weeks, fawns remain hidden in tall grass or woodland undergrowth, relying on their spotted coat for camouflage. They remain motionless when predators or humans are nearby.
Dependence on Mother: Fawns nurse from their mothers and stay close to them for protection. By autumn, they begin grazing more independently but remain within the safety of the herd.
Habitat
Fallow deer are found in parks, open grasslands, and woodlands across the UK. Managed deer parks like Bradgate Park and Richmond Park are excellent places to observe them.
Diet
Fawns primarily rely on their mother’s milk during the first 8-10 weeks.
As they grow, they begin to graze on grasses, herbs, and leaves.
Conservation Status
Fallow deer are not native to the UK but were introduced by the Romans or Normans.
They are now naturalized and thrive in many areas, often managed in parks to prevent overpopulation.
Their conservation status is of "Least Concern."
Interesting Facts
Fawns are born with no scent, which helps them avoid detection by predators.
Their characteristic spots are most prominent during the first months of life.
Fallow deer are known for their seasonal coat changes, with darker coats in winter and lighter, spotted coats in summer.
Where to Spot Them in the UK
Bradgate Park, Richmond Park, and Knole Park are some of the best places to see Fallow Deer and their fawns in their natural habitat. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for observing their activities.
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 :)
Fallow Deer Fawn / Dama dama - Taken at Bradgate Park / Leicestershire - UK
A Chilly Morning in Bradgate Park -
Despite the freezing 0°C temperature this morning, I couldn’t resist heading out for a photo tour. The grey winter skies, often caused by increasingly frequent storms due to climate change, can be quite discouraging. However, the soft, glowing hues of the early morning sun always have a magical effect on nature, enhancing every frame we capture and bringing joy to photography enthusiasts like myself. Even the simple act of saying good morning feels different on a bright, sunny day.
Living near the historic Bradgate Park is truly a privilege. As I stepped into the park and took a short five-minute walk, I came across two fallow deer fawns (Dama dama) wandering alone, separated from their herd. Without my camouflage cover, I had to move carefully, stepping only on the damp, soft leaves to avoid making any noise. My 1.4x teleconverter wasn’t attached to my 500mm lens, and attempting to change it would have startled them.
As I observed, a group of jackdaws landed on one of the fawns, searching for ticks and other insects in its fur. It was a beautiful display of interspecies cooperation, and I was delighted to witness this moment of solidarity. Both seemed quite at ease, and the interaction lasted for about two minutes. The young fawn was busy with its morning meal and didn’t allow the jackdaws near its neck. Eventually, it leapt slightly, signaling that it had had enough, and the two little companions trotted back toward their family.
Although it wasn’t the exact shot I had envisioned, I plan to work on this subject in the coming weeks and hope to capture even better frames. One particularly striking moment was when a jackdaw perched near the tail of a fallow deer, beautifully framed against the golden bokeh created by the sunlight reflecting in the background.
During my four-hour tour, I also managed to photograph another fallow deer cautiously keeping an eye on me, maintaining a safe distance. And of course, no trip to Bradgate Park would be complete without capturing my favorite small bird—the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)! I included three different poses of this charming little bird as well.
Now, I leave you with the nine images I uploaded to my Flickr account this afternoon. Thank you all for your comments, favorites, and support. Wishing you a great evening!
Fallow Deer Fawn (Dama dama)
The Fallow Deer (Dama dama) is one of the most recognizable and widespread deer species in the UK, known for its beautiful spotted coat. Its fawns are particularly charming and are a favorite subject for wildlife photographers.
Identification
Size: At birth, fawns weigh approximately 4-5 kg.
Coat:
Newborn fawns have a light brown coat with prominent white spots that provide camouflage in grassy or woodland areas.
As they mature, the spots may fade but are still visible in the summer coat of adults.
Eyes: Large, dark eyes that enhance their endearing appearance.
Behavior
Birth Season: Fawns are typically born between May and July.
Hiding: For the first few weeks, fawns remain hidden in tall grass or woodland undergrowth, relying on their spotted coat for camouflage. They remain motionless when predators or humans are nearby.
Dependence on Mother: Fawns nurse from their mothers and stay close to them for protection. By autumn, they begin grazing more independently but remain within the safety of the herd.
Habitat
Fallow deer are found in parks, open grasslands, and woodlands across the UK. Managed deer parks like Bradgate Park and Richmond Park are excellent places to observe them.
Diet
Fawns primarily rely on their mother’s milk during the first 8-10 weeks.
As they grow, they begin to graze on grasses, herbs, and leaves.
Conservation Status
Fallow deer are not native to the UK but were introduced by the Romans or Normans.
They are now naturalized and thrive in many areas, often managed in parks to prevent overpopulation.
Their conservation status is of "Least Concern."
Interesting Facts
Fawns are born with no scent, which helps them avoid detection by predators.
Their characteristic spots are most prominent during the first months of life.
Fallow deer are known for their seasonal coat changes, with darker coats in winter and lighter, spotted coats in summer.
Where to Spot Them in the UK
Bradgate Park, Richmond Park, and Knole Park are some of the best places to see Fallow Deer and their fawns in their natural habitat. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for observing their activities.
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 :)