Being a sunny and warm day here Mike and I headed off to our local Tatton Park which is 15 mins. walk from our home; we were hoping to see the Red Deer with the magnificent male Stags and their harems. It wasn't until three hours into our four hour walk that we finally spotted one of the herds as we heard one of the males loudly bellow; he was in the distance along with other male Reds and all their ladies ! so..... even though our feet were begging for a rest ! we plodded onwards and upwards to get within zoom range of these magnificent animals, remembering to keep a safe distance away from the male Stags and their harem whilst the testosterone season is on full power lol
First a photo of the Knutsford entrance to Tatton Park
and the start of the parkland beyond and some of its 2000 acres
Tatton Mansion
strangely enough this was the first creature we saw !!! a Ruby Tiger Moth caterpillar - many thanks to Katy for the ID :)
walking along the main drive through the park we spotted fallow deer and sheep.
The next set of pics shows you an amusing sighting where the Jackdaws were perched on a fallow deer picking the insects off its coat and head !!
first pic shows two Jackdaws, one which had its feet perched on the nose of the deer !! You will need full frame for this set !
can't work out if the Fallow Deer is telling the Jackdaw to clear orrff or whether it is just enjoying the preening and cleaning experience lol
don't blame me for the next pic, I just didn't time the photo well lol
is this a Ewe ?? Nah ..... it's a "P" !!!
Finally, here we have the Red Deer ..........
a male stag who seemed to have lost out in the fight for a harem as he was on his own :(
and now for the victor...... bellowing his dominance
and this little cutie was just inquisitive !
a young buck by the looks of him, hopefully just chewing the cud and not snarling at me lol
the old man is next .......
attitude show next !!
the ladies ......
another fine Stag ....
Handsome beast !
oops, I've been spotted with the camera
charming !! sticking his tongue out now at me !!
there were a few unsuccessful frisky attempts to mate with a female .....
now all say Awwwww :) wonder what its wondering ??
the snooty lQQk ...........
this is the fence post I stood behind ........to be on the safe side !!!
and finally the beautiful autumnal colours
thanks for viewing folks :) hope to return to Tatton Park soon to get more pics
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Regards, Hazel
Excellent deer collection. The Jackdaw Grooming Company certainly do a thorough job don't they? Hopefully, I will have some similar shots (of Deer, not Jackdaws) tomorrow morning, but I doubt they will come close to this set!
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Lovely, Hazel--thanks for posting!
Kind regards, Ann
Thanks MC and Ann,
@ MC hope you have a successful visit to Bushy Park and find the deer quicker than I did lol very much looking forward to seeing your photos as always.
Great captures aitch, especially loved the Fallow Deer/Jackdaw grooming pics & was quite surprised to see the FD & Sheep together! I did enjoy all your 'peaceful' pics of Red Deer Stags, able to admire them before all the rutting takes place, an event I personally get no pleasure from!
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Beautiful pictures Hazy! Those deer are stunning and wasn't the fallow loving his Jackdaw makeover! Holding his head up and everything! lol
Your caterpillar is a Ruby Tiger Moth! Beautiful things! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures.
Brilliant set Hazel, aren't they beautiful looking animals? I really like the Deer, but I particularly like your last photo of the trees
Terry
cheers Terry
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Morning and many thanks Wendy, Katy and Terry
@ Katy thanks for ID of caterpillar :)
Fabulous set Hazel! Tatton is a fantastic resource to have on your doorstep and your photos have brought back wonderful memories of the days spent there - with my sons when they were children and my late parents. The Fallow Deer with Jackdaw is absolutely classic - I've never seen that behaviour before and why just choose the deer and not the sheep? Guess we'll never know.
Morning John, thanks so much, glad it brought some fond memories back for you. My late uncle built a sailing yacht which he took to Tatton a few times so I too went to Tatton in my childhood as we only lived 3 miles away from it those days and my late Grandmother lived 1 mile away so no excuses to visit as a family ! I think those days kids were always outside in the fresh air exploring, not like today lol
Wonderful day out for you Hazel and great shots to prove it.
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