Falconry at Bradgate Park

American Red Tailed Hawk

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

The preliminaries Bradgate Park - 25 Sept 14

These two Fallow deer stags seem to entering the preliminaries of the rut, starting with the parallel walk.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 800, 260mm

Then it's heads down and antlers in, it was a bit subdued so obviously not yet fired by hormones.

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

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

They kept it up for about five minutes.

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

Then separated and the dark coloured one preened himself  and trotted around proudly.

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 180mm

While the white one left the field, crossed the road and didn't come back.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Here's one that has found it all just a little too much and decided on a nap instead.

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 190mm

This one was watching in the wings and it wouldn't surprise me if he was in the middle of things when it all kicks off.

1/100 @ f7.1, iso 800, 200mm

The Red deer have started their bellowing and cant be far away from the big battles.

1/640 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

By the park gate, a falconer was exercising his Red Tailed Hawk female, I posted some pice of his male a few months ago.

1/160 @ f7.1, iso 800, 200mm

1/200 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

All taken on Canon EOS 7D, 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

Bradgate Park - Friday 23rd November 2012

We decided on a visit to Bradgate Park to see if there were any deer about. But the first thing we came across, just inside the main gate, was this Red Tailed Hawk being exercised by the owner. Unfortunately he had to keep it on a long leash, it was part of the agreement with the park trustees. 

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/200 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm 

It attracted a lot of attention and sometimes it was difficult to get pictures without people in as well.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/400 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The flight photos were more difficult, with trees and people in the way.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/160 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

It's interesting watching a bird of prey flying straight towards you.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

At rest it seemed to enjoy posing and wasn't nervous about the people close by.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

In the open area between the rocks and Lady Jane Grey's house there were several small groups of deer and this Red Deer stag seemed to be keeping watch over a group of does. So maybe the rut isn't over.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/125 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

On the way back to the car, Maja noticed a red head in amongst the green heads of a group of mallard, of course it belonged to this Widgeon.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/40 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 190mm

And Finally this Fallow deer was by the stream and close to the gates