Bradgate park - the Rut - 24 October 2011

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 235mm 

From immediately inside the park gates the deer were out in force, this young Fallow deer was keeping out of the way, the Rut can be a dangerous time for anyone getting in the way. Whereas the stag below was taking part - even if we was still a bit young to be successful.

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

The Red deer stag below looks like a veteran of many Ruts and when I got his picture he was hiding under a tree, maybe stopped to catch his breath.

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm 

This one looks like he's at his best, he's standing by a group of females and roaring out his challenge to anyone who thinks they might be hard enough.

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 375mm 

Kelham Bridge - 15 October 2011

Skipper is  well again and we celebrated by taking him out to Kelham Bridge, near Ibstock. The first hide was pretty deserted, the only birds being across the other side of the pool.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 250mm 

But Skipper enjoyed running about on the grass paths and at the second hide, there were quite a few people and lots of birds. Apparently we just missed a Kingfisher and a water Rail, but while we were watching for pictures I noticed this rock, which with its reflection made a good picture.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

A moorhen, standing on the raised ground near a wooden post, needed to flap so it wouldn't overbalance and as luck would have it, I was watching it through the camera at the time.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

Then I spotted a Teal (going into eclipse) and as he was posing thought it worth a picture. While Maja took Skipper on a bit further, I stayed in the hide but the Kingfisher didn't return, we thought we heard him calling but he didn't put in an appearance while I was there.

Trials of skipper - 10 september 2011

I've been a bit short on trips out recently, Skipper cut one of his back paws  on something we didn't see. It wasn't till he got into the car and he left blood on the seat that we knew anything about it.

We took him to the vet where they knocked him out and stitched him up, he was great not chewing the bandage at all. But now they've took the bandage off, he's started worrying at it.