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It's That Time Of Year Again...


It's That Time Of Year Again...
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Haynes (PaulH) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-09
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 APO DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite wild animal photos 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-10-12 11:58
Viewed: 4238
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello,

I took a trip to Londons' Richmond Park last Friday, to watch the annual spectacle of the Red Deer Rut. As seemingly always with any long planned photographic mission, the weather was utter rubbish!
It didn't quite rain, but the skies were heavy with dark grey clouds, so the light was very poor for any decent photography.

Anyway, i managed a few 'ok' shots, so i thought i'd share one with you. Despite the conditions, it was exciting and fascinating to watch the large males run themselves ragged as they struggled to keep their harems intact and fight off competitors.

Some brief facts from the British Deer Society's website:

Origins & history.

Red deer migrated into Britain from Europe 11000 years ago. They were used extensively by Mesolithic man as a source of food, skins and tools (bones and antlers). Neolithic man developed agriculture and cleared swathes of forest to make way for fields.
This loss of forest encouraged the decline of red deer populations, which became confined to the Scottish Highlands, south-west England and a few other small, scattered populations.
The Normans protected red deer in parks and "forests" (often devoid of trees!) for royal hunting, but this protection was lost during the Mediaeval period causing another decline in numbers in England. Victorian re-introductions of "improved" stock (often inter-bred with larger related species such as Wapiti), escapes from deer parks, natural spread and increase in the Highlands and an increase in forest and woodland cover since the early 20th century mean that red deer are now widely distributed in Britain and are expanding in range and number

The Rut:

The breeding season, or rut, occurs from the end of September to November. Stags return to hind's home ranges and compete for access to hinds by engaging in elaborate displays of dominance including roaring, parallel walks and fighting. Serious injury and death can result but fighting only occurs between stags of similar size that can not assess dominance by any of the other means. The dominant stag then ensures exclusive mating with the hinds.

Thanks For Looking...



www.paulhaynesphotography.co.uk
nglen, roges, nasokoun, caspian, CeltickRanger, rcrick, horia, anel, goldyrs, marius-secan, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-10-12 12:04]

Hi Paul. I have not got up to london yet, i think it may be a bit to much this year , I saw one in broomhill last weekend but no camera. This is a fine pose to capture typical of the male but not so easy to cath. Taken with good detail and warm colours in the poor light.
WEll taken TFS.
Nick..

PS i have sent you an email.

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 0 N: 1329] (6264)
  • [2009-10-12 12:30]

Hi Paul,

Splendid capture. A superb Red deer.
Exceptional the describe that you offer us.
Regards,
Adrian

hello Paul
separately beautiful scene,with exceptional output!
TFS
Nasos

Hello Paul,

Was a high-quality shots in karpostal taste. Composition, light, perspective and timing is great. TFS

Best Regards
Mehmet

You've certainly overcome the poor light with this rich and well documented picture. A pleasure to have seen, thanks.

hello Paul

WOW ! what an excellent and beautiful photo of the Red deer,
shot with very fine POV and framing, the pose of the animal
it is bringing dynamism to the image, superb focus great
sharpness and details, beautiful warm luminosity,
the dark background it is putting in evidence the foreground,

TFS

Asbed

Hi Paul,

You might have had bad weather mate but you nailed the shot, excellent detail, and perfect framing.

Love the contrast between the grasses in the foreground and the dark woods in the background, really nice work.

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2009-10-13 0:40]

Hey mate

I see you've been away to London again and really sorry to hear you didn't have any good weather at all :(
I take it these shots look great at 800px but not that much on a full resolution? By the way, how does the 40D handle higher ISO in your opinion (just for my curiosity)?
Anyway, what i see here is a lovely capture!
Timing was impeccable and the pose you've got is exceptional. The darker BG actually works terrific here and makes the big stag stand out superbly. I also like the slight blur of the grass...it also gives a bit more drama to the scene.
Very nice work, as usual, mate!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2009-10-13 4:30]

hello Paul,
Nice to see again a picture from Richmond Park. The deers' rut is always very impressive. I can hear deers in the forests around my chalet and I tell you every year I'm impressed again. You caught this beautiful animal just at the right moment to show us its roaring. And I like also the environment with the old trees in the back and the excellent place of the animal in front on the dry grasses.
Very well seen.
Kind regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2009-10-13 6:00]

Hi Paul,
Outstanding shot and you have freezed a fine moment here. Considering the conditions this a fine image and I like the tones here. Excellent POV and DOF and a fine composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

I simply love this shot, Paul! The warm hues generate a beautiful feeling, and the pose strikes a chord somewhere deep within; it's as if his yearning has reached a peak and he's crying out...seeking what he wants!
And you don't have to thank us for looking, Paul. Of all photographers, I think I can say very confidently, that you're perhaps the most consistent, and the pleasure of not just looking, but also digesting the emotion of your shots, is always ours.
Keep up the good work, mate!
A warm hug from India!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hello Paul,
Wonderful image with excellent colours and details.
Very nice composition.
Well done!
Marius.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2009-10-14 9:02]

Cracking shot, mate!
Superb pose and great sharpness.
Very well composed.

Fancy going up again this Sunday? I'm hoping to go then :)

Cheers Paul!

Joe

Hi Paul,
I love the pose and the action you captured in this shot. The natural contrast of the dark BG and the warm colors of the grass and deer are wonderful. The edge around the deer is super sharp but the details in the coat could be a bit sharper. Maybe some local sharpening might do th trick.
TFS,
Niek

You caught an interesting pose Paul.
This is a well composed image with nice details and colors.
Great job at 1/60th and the conditions at hand.
Well done!

Hello Paul,

This is a very fine capture of typical behaviour!
The exposure data shows the light wasn't as good as it could be, but I think the result is first class anyway...
The dark background enhances the animal, that seems to benefit from some light from heaven..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

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