Trains, Planes, but no Automobiles...

It was a relief to see some blue sky at last. It seemed that the interminable grey gloom of overcast skies had hung over us for weeks. Today the sun shone, the moon was just a stretch away, and the scent of spring was in the air.



The day could not to be wasted. I took a stroll around some favourite haunts at Chasewater.
The reservoir has been drained to carry out some work on the dam, but the springs that feed the waters ensured that there were still ponds sufficient for the wildlife to do what wildlife does.

I accidentally spooked a Stag out of a belt of trees. While it was out in the open I took the opportunity to grab a few snaps. Typical... I get it all lined up, in focus, and he goes and closes his eyes!

The two Stags held an uneasy truce, occasionally sparring, but also cooperating, taking it in turns to keep an eye out while the other grazed.

It amazes me how such large animals generally manage to keep themselves undiscovered in such a populated area. They'll stand motionless in a clump of trees while walkers pass by totally unaware of their presence.



The lady driver of the passing steam train did spot them from her elevated position and signalled excitedly to me. A blast of the whistle had them running for the horizon, and I headed for home too...

Stag Does...

Following my previous experiences of the Fallow deer rut, I decided that I'd like to try and find some Red deer. They're not nearly as common as the Fallow deer, but I'd heard that there were some small herds to be found just a few miles from where I live.

I discovered plenty of tracks new and old, so I knew they were about. The rain lashed down and after walking miles a cold wind picked up causing a soul destroying chill. I'd just about given up on finding them when, on the far side of some railway lines they trotted out in front of me.

At first they were nervous, ushering the younger ones back into the cover of the scrub. Faining disinterest, while enthusing over some grass, I convinced them that I too was a harmless grazing animal.

For a moment I thought that there was a Stag in the group, until I realised that one of the Does was standing in front of a couple of conveniently positioned branches!

The mothers and their offspring were very affectionate to one another, constantly nuzzling and showing attention.

The clouds lifted, the rain stopped. More deer emerged from the trees.

They seemed remarkably relaxed as I took their pictures.

Some were even curious.

Eventually they began to move off.

A couple of last glances...

... at the strange new herbivore on the other side of the tracks.



An inquisitive gallery of faces peer back at me before wandering off. Please ignore what the one on the left is doing!



Astounding how such a large animal simply disappears in the tall grass...

Watch where you sit...

There's been some really rainy days recently, it seems autumn has struck with a vengeance.

As you can see I've occupied myself as best I can on the wetter days, playing with matches in the house.

At last a sunny day, and immediately I was outside with my camera snapping anything that got in my way.

I decided to go to Sutton Park and look for deer tracks. A Red stag was found wandering the city streets last week. It was captured and released in the park. Little Muntjacs leave their prints all over the place, but there is rarely anything larger. The smooth, wet sand is ideal for preserving tracks.

I searched all the likely places for deer to hang out, choosing to concentrate on the less visited areas. Then, in the quiet of a deserted wood, a noise of something large making its way through the foliage. I froze, camera at the ready... It was one of the Exmoor ponies curious to see who was trespassing in their patch.

My legs were tired and my throat dry. It was time for my flask of coffee. I found a quiet, open glade and made myself comfortable on a stretch of dry stones. It was nice to sit in the sun. 'Poop', 'BeeePoop'!!! What was that?...



I found myself somewhere more peaceful to finish my coffee.

I'll have to find the Stag another day.



For now I'm happy watching the diamonds dance on the water.