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Proud


Proud
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1692 W: 242 N: 5589] (19849)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-21
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS, Kenko 58mm UV filter
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-24 2:27
Viewed: 403
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I know I was going to post a shot of a Tailed Jay's upperwings but I couldn't resist posting this shot of a young male Red Deer from Richmond Park in London. I think he looks really proud.

Here's some info on the behaviour of the Red Deer...

Mature Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) usually stay in single-sex groups for most of the year. During the mating ritual, called the rut, mature stags compete for the attentions of the hinds and will then try to defend hinds that they attract. Rival stags challenge opponents by bellowing and walking in parallel. This allows combatants to assess each other's antlers, body size and fighting prowess. If neither stag backs down a clash of antlers can occur, and stags sometimes sustain serious injuries.

Dominant stags follow groups of hinds during the rut, from August into early winter. The stags may have as many as 20 hinds to keep from other less attractive males. Only mature stags hold harems (groups of hinds) and breeding success peaks at about 8 years of age. Stags 2-4 years old rarely hold harems and spend most of the rut on the periphery of larger harems, as do stags over 11 years old. Young and old stags that do acquire a harem hold it later in the breeding season than those stags in their prime. Harem holding stags rarely feed and lose up to 20% of their body weight. Stags that enter the rut in poor condition are less likely to make it through to the peak conception period.

Male European Red Deer have a distinctive "roar" during the rut, which is an adaptation to forested environments, as opposed to male Wapiti (or American Elk) which "bugle" during the rut in adaptation to open environments. The male deer roars to keep his harem of females together. The females are initially attracted to those males that both roar most often and have the loudest roar call. Males also use the roar call when competing with other males for females during the rut, and along with other forms of posturing and antler fights, is a method used by the males to establish dominance. Roaring is most common during the early dawn and late evening, which is also when the crepuscular deer are most active in general.

Thanks for viewing :)
LordPotty, PaulH, CENT-TRETZE, eqshannon, fartash, nglen, Jamesp, angybone, Argus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Joe,
He kinda looks like he's been alerted to something off in the distance there (where there is a blue object by the trees)
Interesting shot,almost a silhouette.
I guess you were too far away for fill flash huh? I don't use it much myself anyway.
Cool post.
Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 26 N: 2998] (10820)
  • [2007-10-24 5:09]

Hi Joe,
yep he's definitely clocked the two people on the horizon here! Great composition, he's very well placed in the frame here and the lighting is great, you've caught him in classic a Deer pose. Very well seen, good job.
Paul

Hello friend mio:

Many you gave without communicating us because I have been absent. A pretty photo of this elegant deer Al that the sunlight in the back gives him. The forest blurred in the fund gives relief Al animal remaining a precious picture. Very well, I congratulate you.

A strong hug

What wonderful back-lighting! It makes a fantastic picture. I am amazed at the quality of pictures from you and another coming out of this park. It seems to be a wonderful place in the big city of London. And I am sure you think out your images well in advance when going to this reserve. The place makes almost for natural classic photos. Well done Joey!!!
Bob

Hello Joe
Excellent shot of this Red Deer ,
Perfect lighting,composition and BG,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5557] (20998)
  • [2007-10-24 13:17]

Hi Joe. A great day was had by all . we had the weather and so many fine Deer to take pictures off, it was nice to meet you.

You have done so well with this one kinowing the light you had at the time. as steve said it looks almost Silhouette. I like the haze of the bright sun. well done TFS.
very good notes from you too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2007-10-24 21:54]

Hi Joe

Great pose and silhouette - I like the rich colours and hazy light in the distance.

James

Gorgeous silhouette shot!
What an amazing deer...wow!
I think/hope when we die that we'll get to experience wonderful things...for me, I just want to spend a day running and jumping like a deer. Can you imagine what that would feel like!

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 133 N: 7494] (23373)
  • [2007-10-25 5:56]

Hello Joe,
This is a great near-silhouette of a Red Deer stag in a superb composition with excellent sharpness and lighting. I like the low POV too!
This shot deserves more attention!
TFS
Ivan

Superbe composition avec cette ombre qui se détache du paysage.
Bravo
Marie

bonjour joe
dommage que ce cerf se trouve en contre jour mais la rencontre est tellement rare,enfin pour moi que cela merite des felicitations et remerciement pour le partage.
laurent

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