| Actual Image
Cervus elaphus - Kizilgeyik in wild (34)
rousettus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1832 W: 82 N: 4020]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (12835) | In Turkiye, about ten even-toed [ARTIODACTYLA] mammal species present. Of these, Cervus elaphus - Kizilgeyik [TR], Red Deer [EN] is one of the largest deer (CERVIDAE) species all over the world. It inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus, Turkiye and western and central parts of Asia. It is also seen in the Atlas Mountains of northwestern Africa. It appears rarely northern Turkish forests and several thousands individuals survive in these areas.
Only males (stags) have antlers and mature stags use them to compete for the attentions of the hinds and will then try to defend hinds that they attract.
Normally, they always hide in the deepest parts of forests and so observing them was very hard. By increasing testosterone level, they appear in grassland in open places of forests to find females of their harems. I captured this male during the mating ritual, called the rut, by Canon 100mm, f/2.8 lens. With only size reduction, Original photograph can be seen on Workshop.
One day ago, I saw first stag, aged of 12 years old, when we were going along woodland road. It gave a wonderful pose on grassland of forest. I tried to capture it by Canon 600mm. It was close and frame not enough for shot. |
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