Wasn’t the weekend glorious? We timed our time out to great effect with regard the weather although to be honest I’m sure it was practically perfect all day. Whilst out enjoying the blissful peace, enchanting views and soaking up the warmth of the sun there were a few interesting wildlife encounters. This one deserves a post of it’s own as it felt particularly special (and I took so many pictures). 

After a brief amount of indecision, they started to head straight out across the field, parallel to our path but at quite a distance, say 100m or there abouts. It transpired a tractor was heading up their track so I’m sure they were fussing about us having cut off their natural strategic exit route. 

One by one they started out into the field. Until there were several. And another, And another, nother, nother, nother then they just kept coming! Having my focus set on snapping away, and having to withdraw the zoom further and further out to accommodate such a long line of deer, I wasn’t in any position to count on my fingers how many deer there were. After two tries C volunteered there were at least 16 but possibly 18. I haven’t seen so many like this in years, or possibly ever. 

After choosing to head straight into the field, they were then unsure of the best course of action. Presumably shelter is the safe option but it looked like quite a way away so a bit of standing to think was called for. At long last someone called it and they all made a run for the trees and bird cover. 

What a fantastic encounter. It was so lucky I was able to take some reasonably close shots of these animals which are often shy. We think they are fallow deer and perhaps are the females who form a herd.

 

I’m aware how hypocritical it must sound to be rejoicing in the presence of such a lot of deer out on farmland while the farmer is probably having the same bother with them that I face in our garden with the muntjac. I took flattering pictures of both regardless so I suppose that’s an equality of sorts.

 

Take care,

Sophie

 

I know you're thinking how cute this little deer is but let me tell you this, who we have here is the perpetrator of crimes! This wretched muntjac has eaten all my lovely flowers over the years. It brazenly waltzes through our front garden and treats it as an all-you-can-eat buffet. My doorstep pots have been ruined (again) this time in around a week of having been planted up with violas to flower through the winter. None of the plants has pulled round so my pots look horrible with straggly remnants and have done for months. The deer eats my spring bulbs and last year ate a pot of tulips just as they came into flower. No shoots are safe and there's no way I can protect anything from the jaws of this beast. It knows I don't like it. If looks could kill I'd be having roast venison on Sunday. 

Photographically speaking, I shot it through the window several times since the snow arrived. Preceded by exclaiming "the bloody deer is out the front AGAIN!!! Where's my camera".

There's a place we walk that allows the freedom of a good hour wandering away from civilization. A field in the middle of nowhere has stood vacant for the year in which we've seen it, although a new stock fence has been recently erected so presumably there are plans afoot for grazing. It was C who, at great distance, spotted a couple of groups of deer who had helped themselves to the lush new grass shoots. At last, I had the zoom lens on! Not that it was all that much help due to the billowing gale, absence of light and my now streaming eyes.
I tried to effect my sturdiest post into the wind and hold my zoom lens but it was quite the struggle.

The two groups were looking across to us and across to each other, weighing up options.
It was all a bit much for one, who decided to just have a little lay down pending any firm decision. (Good plan).
I like the little stumpy horns on some of them, like giraffe nodules.

Most of the larger group took a vote and legged it behind a thicket. They didn't appear out the other side so I suppose their plan involved just hiding.

Lovely to see this many deer out within range.

Take care,
Sophie

More from the woods. This ever-so-cute little deer was no nonplussed about our arrival, I took pictures of it as we approached, then diverted into the butterfly laden flower lined hedge before continuing toward our friend. It wasn't until we were quite close that it was interested enough to lift it's to give us a proper look before taking a hop and a jump into some undergrowth.What a sweetie.


Another deer but this time with dinky antlers, aww!
An unexpected find in the woods was several hundred dragonflies.To see them darting round in the sky was hypnotic, the odd few landed.
I love that I caught one aloft!




Take care,
Sophie

Of course, we headed out for a good walk to soak up the sunshine and stretch our legs. The contrast of bold blue skies and autumn landscape was beautiful. Those neat red rosehips look fabulous.



 Monday morning surprised me with a sighting of the muntjac deer (and baby - not in shot) whilst I was out in the garden. I snapped away with my phone and this is the best picture I got in the early morning light.


It didn't end there. We had to pass by a hornet's nest in a hole in a tree. You might be able to see an orangier patch in the middle tree below. Funnily enough, I had NO INTENTION of lingering anywhere near it to risk getting in trouble, so you will have to take my word for it. The hum was fabulous as we passed. No stings for us, but a nasty little boy behind did get stung, which after seeing him larking around with a huge precarious bough minutes beforehand and not being reprimanded by his father I have to say I rather felt nature had restored karma.

Oh, what are these called? I'm sure I stumbled upon them in one of my books but I'll have to look it up again sometime.


Abov, some fungi nestled away.
Below, Bittersweet berries. They look pretty but are poisonous.


The last encounter to tell you of was three beautiful buzzards flying low over our allotment while we worked. They were majestic but sadly no camera. They usually soar high up or antagonise the crows but never come close to us.
Such a brilliant weekend full of wildlife.
Have you had an unexpected close encounter?
Sophie