Peak District red deer

[SnappyMac]

A couple of prickets this morning. The big stags were shrouded in mist on the moors above so I had to take to the fields and woods. Come the rut (due to start in the next few weeks) some of the stags will come down from the moors and the prickets will be a bit more wary.

Nice finds and photo's Bob.

[Bob S]

A couple of prickets this morning. The big stags were shrouded in mist on the moors above so I had to take to the fields and woods. Come the rut (due to start in the next few weeks) some of the stags will come down from the moors and the prickets will be a bit more wary.

Nice finds and photo's Bob.

Cheers Snappy. I quite like the 2 year olds. A long way ahead hopefully for them to take a part in the rut. PPL always call the big stags majestic and I can't fault that. Still... from small acorns etc.

[Mr Kes]

Incidentally the stag is known as Wonky by some Peak deer watchers for obvious reasons. He made it to the top standing this year having 16 tines and is officially a Monarch although some tines are a bit small. No doubt he will lose the wonky one and demote himself again,

A cracker

[Bob S]

Mother and child this morning. The stags are annoyingly being elusive although that won't last long and it was very misty at sunrise. Still, this years calves are growing in confidence and well worth watching.

[SnappyMac]

Mother and child this morning. The stags are annoyingly being elusive although that won't last long and it was very misty at sunrise. Still, this years calves are growing in confidence and well worth watching.

A nice photo with their heads up Bob

[Bob S]

Finally signs of the rut starting. The first stag to set out his stall this morning and stake his claim. Pays not to wait as he has chosen a place possibly with the most hinds together... sneaky lad. We'll have to see how many he can hold on to when the other stags twig.

[SnappyMac]

Finally signs of the rut starting. The first stag to set out his stall this morning and stake his claim. Pays not to wait as he has chosen a place possibly with the most hinds together... sneaky lad. We'll have to see how many he can hold on to when the other stags twig.

Cracking photo's Bob

[Bob S]

Finally signs of the rut starting. The first stag to set out his stall this morning and stake his claim. Pays not to wait as he has chosen a place possibly with the most hinds together... sneaky lad. We'll have to see how many he can hold on to when the other stags twig.

Cracking photo's Bob

Cheers Snappy. Made the most of just me him and the hinds this morning. Soon will get busy with photographers no doubt.

[PimperneBloke]

Magnificent beastie Bob, well captured

[Bob S]

Magnificent beastie Bob, well captured

Cheers PB. A pleasure to watch him this morning. A Royal I think counting the tines. A couple of monarchs I think this year also but as mentioned on the RSPB forum in the past it's attitude not points. The rut should usually be on the way this time of year but the drought has taken it's toll. In for a bad winter I think if 1976 is any thing to go by. I was only 9 then but this year resembles the summer of that year which was a stand out to my distant memories. I do remember we still had to go to school and walk down the dug out channels in roads. Not something done now I think.