Bradgate Park

The first wildlife we saw when we entered the park was this Heron striding purposefully along the banks of the Lin. Not sure what he had spotted but he must have been after something.

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

The Fallow Deer seemed to stop in just the right place, and look at the size of that Oak tree.

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

A Red Stag feeding up for the Rut no doubt.

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 250mm

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

Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk

1/160 @ f5.6, ISO 800, 400mm
Canon 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Ear-Ear red deer

I think I got something in my ear

1/500 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

Falconry at Bradgate Park

American Red Tailed Hawk

1/160 @ f6.3, ISO 6.3. 100mm

Red Rut

He's got something to shout about.

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

Rockin Robin

A Robin being as cheeky as usual  and watching me with my camera

1/320 @ f5.6, ISO 1600, 400mm

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

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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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

Curiosity and the Red Deer - April 2014

Bradgate Park looked great in the spring sunshine, but initially there wasn't much wildlife about. So I decided to take some pics of the buildings and ruins.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 100mm

I have been reliably informed that the picture above cannot be taken. But if you find the right place all three, as you can see are there. In the foreground is the ruin of Lady Jane Grey's family home. On the hill behind, with its arch clearly visible is Old John. It used to be thought of as a mill, but now the general opinion is that it was a folly.  On the ridge to the left is the war memorial.

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

As I rode my mobility scooter up the side of the ruined house, this group of Red Deer became curious and wandered over to have a look at me.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 320mm

Some of them weren't shy about coming forward to have a look.

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

While others decided to stay with the protection of the bushes.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 210mm

Then headed for the hills.

1/800 @ f6.3, iso 400, 210mm

All taken on Canon EOS 7D, EF 100 - 400mm L series Lens

Red Deer before the winds hit - 8 Feb 2014

The birds not being very cooperative this weather, we decided to see what the dee were about in Bradgate Park. The answer was not too much. But we did find some Red deer stags and a couple of young Fallow deer

1/200 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

1/200 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

1/160 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm 

1/1600 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

All taken on 

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Deer at Bradgate - 12 December 2013

Since my last post the local birdlife has been conspicuous by its absence, only the common regulars showing themselves. I have spotted the occasional Goosander and Shoveler in the distance and a Dab chick at Charnwood water in very poor light, but nothing available for a decent photo.

So we decided on a visit to Bradgate Park again and the deer did not disappoint. Various young Fallow Deer were out and about and  the variety of colours for deer of the same species was interesting.

1/160 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/250 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The same thing applies to the older ones, a spread from white to black.

1/125 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

This one paused for a drink on its way down a stream and the day was still so the reflections were quite good - albeit only of the back end.

1/80 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

A bigger stag seemed to be moulting and the crow was determined to help, although I wonder why - it cant be nest building at this time of year. I think the wide eyed, startled look of the stag shows his opinion of the goings on.

1/160 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/160 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

This Red deer stag looked more comfortable with his lot, but was suspicious of the camera I was pointing at him.

1/80 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/80 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

All pictures taken on a 

Canon EOS 7d, and EF 100 - 400mm, L series lens

Another Deer trip - 31 October 2013

Thursday was the last day this year when cars for the less mobile were allowed to drive through the Bradgate park so we decided to to take advantage of it despite the weather not looking too promising and our belief that the deer would be hiding sheltering from the weather.

We were wrong, there were deer everywhere. We could hear the occasional call of deer still in the final throes of the rut. But I think most of it had run its course and the losing stags were settling down for a rest as were the winners once they'd done their duty. The fallow deer below settled himself down seemingly oblivious to anyone else.

1/200 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/200 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

While the Peacock looked on with a superior air and hit on any car pulling into the Bradgate house surrounds.

1/250 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 100mm

Fallow deer were scattered around in every sheltered corner they could find.

1/400 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

These Red deer had, what appeared to be, a face off. They parallel walked for a while but eventually went off in different directions.

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 360mm

This fallow deer stag looked as though he was looking for a mate, but the females seemed to be keeping out of his way.

1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

The camouflage on this fallow deer can make it difficult to spot.

1/125 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

On our way out of the park there was this Red Tailed Hawk being exercised beside the track.

1/160 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 400mm

1/125 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 220mm

1/160 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 285mm

All taken with a

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm lens