Another Good Monday - Richmond Park and Deer

What I forgot to mention in Part 1 (yesterday) was that there were about 8 House Martins still circling the ponds! Amazing that they're still about.

Before we headed off towards the car, we did see a few deer about; particularly this mum and junior.

and in the rutting season, there may be occasions when a nap is called for.

and a Fallow Doe

Having spent a goodly time photographing birds, it was time to visit the "tuck shop". So duly lubricated with coffee and tea, (accompanied by an eccles cake (me) and a Bacon Roll (highly recommended by Hugh)), we set off for Richmond Park continuing the quest for Red Deer and, hopefully, Fallow Deer too.

We drove around the park and this time we struck gold - in the place where I was expecting to see deer there they were - in large numbers - and consequently my face was no longer so red in colour!

A magnificent Red Deer who had many hinds around him; many young stags who made token gestures of challenging the leader (who didn't take them seriously at all). A large herd of Fallow deer.

Having parked the car, we then spent some time watching them.

The Fallow Deer spent most of their time on the Rugby Pitches - no sign of a game starting though. But on the other side (separated by a small stream) the main herd of Red Deer were to be found - and this is where the action was.

Just picture - large male Red deer - surrounded by some 30+ hinds. On the fringes of the gathering a few very young male stags who, occasionally would amble over towards the hinds, only to turn tail and walk away when they caught the eye of the "Main Man".

Then - far away off to our right, a booming roar from a lone Stag. Now this was a different kettle of fish altogether - he was a mature male. Over a period of a few minutes he approached to main herd. Initially, he approached quite slowly but then broke into a run. By now his presence had been noted and some "parallel walking" ensued. However, this soon came to an end without the anticipated (by us) confrontation. The two separated but continued to "roar" - just in warning!

These hinds were contentedly relaxing in the autumn grass


A stag looking over from the other side of the stream...

before deciding to join the main party of Red Deer on the other side

This was the "main" Stag; very easily distinguished by the "downward" point of the antler

Two younger males decided to "spar". Whilst this lasted for a few minutes, it was somewhat half-hearted and they eventually parted with no harm done.



Having seen the approach of another mature stag, our Hero decided an audible warning is called for

However, this doesn't deter the contender

and whilst they did confront each other and some "parallel walking" ensued the new-comer moved away..

The other deer to be found in Richmond Park are Fallow deer.
Now, whilst Red Deer males are called Stags and the females Hinds, when it comes to Fallow deer the terminology is now Bucks and Does. Also the antlers of the male are distinctly different from those of the Red Deer Stags.

The main herd of Fallow Deer were on the Rugby Pitch side


and a Doe has a lazy time.

but some had come over, and this Buck was having a "roar"

I'm assuming this is a fairly mature Buck.



Whilst these are just a few pictures of the main highlights of individual deer, the still image cannot convey the excitement of mature Stags chasing off contenders and round up their hinds.

It was an extremely entertaining day with so much bird and animal activity; and a day spent in good company too.

A think perhaps a return visit (with better light) is called for......

Another good Monday - Bushey Park and Birds

I'm having to split today's outing into two parts - this is Part 1. Part 2 will be Richmond Park and very active Red deer.

Today I'd arranged to meet Hugh who has been wanting to photograph Deer with antlers and deer during the rut. As a result I offered to play "guide" for my local Bushey Park - and, of course, I've seen several there in the last few days, so....... I knew where they would be. Why is it when they've been highly visible for the past few days that they elect to disappear without trace when you really want them to be there.

We did spot a few, and this young man was sporting his courting hat:

Ah yes - a Ring-necked Parakeet. Well, it makes a change from seeing them on my feeders in the garden!

I wouldn't normally photograph Feral Pigeons - but these, although they looked as though they were swimming, were actually having a bathe

This young Jackdaw looked freshly scrubbed


In the pond by the entrance to the park, this Mute Swan was also having its bath





and a Cormorant had an excellent vantage point - from Diana's head!


We were then treated to a fly past of Canada Geese
(and this time, against a blue sky)




Eventually they settled down and proceeded bathe as well.

Another W & W day

"Woke up this morning feeling fine,
There's something special on my mind..........."
(tra la!!)

But the weather wasn't - fine that is. It was wet and windy - AGAIN! So drove some distance to visit Mum - think the windscreen wipers are now worn out. Mum need some winter clothes so we headed off for an out of town shop. Nothing there that took her fancy, so having bought some meals for her, we headed back.

Later on, the rain actually stopped and I headed back home.

Now how's that for a really exciting day?

Tomorrow - well that should be more promising.......

Wet and Windy

Some how today, it feels as though we've skipped Autumn and gone straight to winter.

Awoke to some sun, but as the morning progressed all changed. Rain and very strong blustery winds.

Had a fairly domestic morning, gave my daughter a lift to collect her car (yes - it passed it's MOT - it's a 1972 Mini) and then went into Bushey Park just after lunch (no pictures). The Red Deer stags were roaring but couldn't see "Henry" - so he must be elsewhere in the park.

Nothing much to get excited about in the way of bird life either, on or out of the water. So this afternoon I had some quality reading time and watched the birds in the garden.

This is what I saw today and mostly all at the same time - with one obvious exception of course.

1 x Jay (this morning)
12 x Ring-necked Parakeets (this morning)
11 x Feral Pigeons (this morning)
and this afternoon...
1 x Woodpigeon
5 x Goldfinches
3 x Blue Tits
3 x Great Tits
1 x Coal Tit
1 x Long-tailed Tit
3 x Greenfinches (down in numbers still)
1 x Nuthatch (hoorah - its still about)
and
1 x magnificent female Sparrowhawk

and the pièce de résistance?

at last - a male House Sparrow - long time since one visited the garden - hope he'll be back and bring his friends.

Also had the squirrel who discovered the sunflower seeds at the bottom of the garden - well, in the rain they'd got a bit soggy, so I was glad s/he ate them up!!

Just a hint of Autumn colour

A promise of colour to come...

Sunset vapour trails - for Skywatch

As the sun was setting against the backdrop of a cloudless blue sky, the vapour trails of several planes were lit by the setting sun. This is the view from my back garden.

And already another plane is making its mark:

and did the Canada Geese fly?

Despite the very dull weather, I went back the following day at around 5.00 p.m. and lo and behold not many minutes after that the Canada Geese (and the lone Greylag Goose that hangs out with them) flew off in two flocks separated by a few minutes.

Now, I'm trying to learn and improve on my "moving subjects" photography skills and, as you will see from the following, I've still got a very long way to go. My only excuse was: I hadn't prepared the camera properly and the light was dreadful!


This morning found me back again but this time looking for the "main man" of the Red Deer rut. The "main man", whom I've named Henry, was certainly strutting his stuff, keeping a constant eye on all his Hinds and chasing off would be contenders. Why Henry? - well a) he lives in the shadow of Hampton Court Palace b) he does have a great number of ladies around him! and c) it's the best I could come up with.

Rather obligingly he does seem to be staying in the same place; not the best of places as it's running along-side the only road through the park!

Seeing off a would-be contender

Just for comparison, this is a much younger Stag who kept well out of Henry's way!

It was wet and very windy this morning so again dull light. That regardless, I did attempt to photograph flying birds - this time black-headed gulls! And with mixed success - I'll let you be the judge.