Canon 7D, 1/400 sec, f5.6, ISO 800, 600 mm.
During the red deer rut in The Netherlands there are places where hundreds of photographers gather and the parc rangers feed the deer apples to get them in front of all those cameras. I like to avoid those areas and go to places where there aren't so many photographers and take pictures in more natural circumstances. People will disagree with me that the place I took this image is their natural habitat, but they roam quite freely and behave in a very natural way with a possibility to be unseen by people. I am not sure that the other places that are considered to be wild habitat are that different. I thought this occasion with a big male and a whole lot of females was a special moment to witness. The male was pretty tired, because it was at the end of the rut. I had to manouvre my camera with 600 mm lens into a place where there weren't many reeds in front of it. When I finally found a good place I stayed there until it got dark.
Comments
6 commentsInteresting photo. You caught the stag in a good pose. The does in front do not seem impressed! I suggest you crop tighter and eliminate the doe on the right as she draws attention away from the main subject. The image does look a bit noisey. Thanks for sharing.
This image captures the action of the rut nicely, Betty-Lou. While I could see a crop including only the 4 deer on the left, I like this version because the doe on the right is staring at you. That creates a nice tension between looking at her and looking at the stag. Capturing him in mid-bugle works very well. Sounds like a wonderful experience watching this action for quite a while as well as getting some good images.
Your patience paid off Betty-Lou, this is an excellent shot with the male quite excited and the does not paying any attention to him, I also like the doe on the right and feel she balances the composition nicely, sweet image!
Hi Betty-Lou,
I'm in agreeement with Mark and Nate on keeping the buck to the right - I also think it adds balance to the composition. Great that you caught the buck in mid-roar...nice bit of action added to the interesting scene! While the setting may not be fully "natural" (as per your commentary), you do have to work with what you're given! Thanks for sharing this one.
Cheers...
Brad
Thanks guys for your comments. That goes to show that opinions differ and it made me look at my image in 2 different ways.
A very interesting image, Betty-Lou! I like the layers and the mood, and of course the action is top-notch. This one really tells a story. I also appreciated your comments that help us understand the setting and backstory there as well. I agree--what many consider not natural enough is the new habitat for many species, or at least some individuals of the species. We have deer in our area that live most, if not all, their lives in town! And like it or not, our raptors LOVE fence posts. When you get down to it, the fences give them a vantage point they didn't have when it was strictly grassland. It's simply a reflection of the adaptability of the animal kingdom along with a reflection of the new reality for them.
Anyway, back to your picture:
I think it's a solid image all-round and like the three sub-stories within it (grazing, bugling (is this what you call it for red deer?) and on alert).