Egret at Bradgate Park

There wasn't much activity from the park's Deer and we were on our way out when this Egret flew past in fishing mode.

1/2656 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2656 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/1600 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/1600 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/2000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/1600 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/1600 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

two birds in the bush 8 5 17

An Egret watching the deer at Bradgate Park.

1600 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Farther along the road opposite the Deer Barn at Bradgate park, 

this Pheasant was being followed by his harem. 

1368 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

1368 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

All taken with a Canon EOS 7d and EF 100 - 400mm L series lens.

Bradgate Park

Sorry this has been a long time coming, with my bad health, the terrible weather and a lack of birds, everything seems to have ground to a halt. But yesterday I managed to get out to Bradgate park and took some pics of Widget - the Widgeon who thinks he is a Mallard and various of the deer.

1/200 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

Fallow deer on a cold day when there are few tourists and they can relax.

1/250 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 300mm

1/250 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 300mm

1/250 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 260mm

All taken on Canon 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Bradgate House

Bradgate House with Old John on the hill behind

1/640 @ f14, ISO 800, 93mm
Canon 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Red Rut

He's got something to shout about.

1/1328 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

Running Wild (almost)

Fallow deer enjoying a run at the back of Bradgate House

1/2656 @ f5.6, ISO 800, 150mm

Bradgate Park

I don't do much video but sitting at the back of Bradgate House I decided to have a play.

Oh Yea, Oh Yea, Oh Yea.

These Does are mine

1/800 @ f6.3, ISO 1600, 375mm

The Reds came out of hiding

We haven't seen the reds at Bradgate Park for a while but on thursday it was a nice day and despite the crowds they came out to show themselves.

First we came across this young fallow deer, soft fur and vacant look, not sure what to do next.

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

This one was a little older and looking for fun.

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

This Mallard female was throwing a good reflection into the small pool.

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

Then there were the Red Deer, antlers still covered with velvet and not fully grown.

1/800 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

The three stooges here came swaggering in our direction, but they weren't after us. We were a long way off.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

He looked up to see what was happening.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 200, 400mm

All taken on a Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 mm L series lens

Bradgate Park 7 may 2015

It has been a long time coming but this week's visit to Bradgate Park found a Little Egret in the ponds and it was making a success of fishing. Maybe it'll stay around for the season and bring in a mate.

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

There aren't many fallows with antlers about at the moment and a lot of those that are have their heads down chewing.

1/400 @ f6.3, iso 400, 150mm

This one decided on a bit of hill climbing, it was steeper than it looks.

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

The way this one looked at the camera, I thought it was asking "What you looking at"

16400 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

All taken on Cannon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Thursday April 2 - at Bradgate park

There were a lot of people about, so not much in the way of wildlife. Some of the deer herds were settled in the deer meadow where the public aren't allowed. So I took them from the road.

The Fallow deer were having a laid back day while the sun was shining

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 180mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 180mm

The Red Deer Stags were out displaying their magnificent headgear while the females grazed

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

All taken on a Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

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www.johngwynant.blogspot.co.uk

After the Rut 29 October 2014

Bradgate park again and the rut is pread put the Fallows seem to have had theirs while the Reds are just starting.

This one seems to be hiding out of the way, unfortunately he forgot how big his antlers are.

1/200 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 400 mm

It is all just a little too much for this Fallow Deer, he's got his head down for a good sleep.

1/400 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 400 mm

Later when he raised his head, he still didn't look awake.

1/320 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 400 mm

The White Fallows seem to be doing well, these look like winners.

1/1600 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 235 mm

They'll even challenge a camera if they catch sight of it.

1/800 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 180 mm

The Champion - or at least he looks every inch a champion, standing there with his chest proudly displayed and head held high.

1/320 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 200 mm

All taken on Canon EOS 7d, RF 100 - 400 mm L series Lens

Preparing for the Rut - August 2014

A visit to Bradgate Park showed us the Fallow deer are preparing for an early rut, there was no sign of the Red deer but I'm sure they'll put in an appearance when they're ready.

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 400mm

The folly Old John, on the high point of the park always draws people to it and the view around is worth the climb.

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

These stags look very laid back, resting for what's to come no doubt.

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 250mm

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

And this one wanted to pose and preen for the camera

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 235mm

1/250 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

This younger one was playing and copying the older deer by trying to collect vegetation on  his antlers, the trouble is the weren't big enough to keep it there.

And this is one of the adults he was trying to copy, first time I've put a video up so I hope it works for you.

All taken on Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series Zoom