Behind the shot - Stag in Autumn backdrop
During the autumn rutting season the Red Deer gather into small groups. The stags defend their group of females from rival stags and often each stag will try to keep the group together in a specific spot of open land, where they can be ready when a female goes into season, which only occurs for a very short period each year as well as it gives the stag a good view of the area and carries it’s bellows.
As autumn approaches, the leaves starts to change colour to this lovely mix of oranges and yellows. I new a spot where there was a group of deer that were present in an open plain, surrounded by loads of oak and other large trees. This provided fantastic surroundings to photograph this beautiful mammal. Getting in the right spot wasn’t so hard. I found a spot which I thought was good (background, foreground etc) and just had to wait at safe distance for the stag to walk by. At this time of year it is always good to keep your distance, although the deer can show little fear of people and can seem tame, they are very very wild and if they see you as a threat or even a contender, the stags may charge. The final result is something I’m quite pleased with, it is one shot I’ve taken that I think really defines autumn. The last bit of colour before the leaves shrivel and fall off the trees and the colour disappears is always only a few weeks opening I try to make the most of each season and to get something new each time.