With last night forecast for clear skies and an early morning frost the fishing rods were put away and I decided to get some more Red deer shots. Leaving the house at 6-30 am I thought I'd left plenty of time to get there for sunrise, I didn't allow for the tractor and an old boy driving at 30mph. There was nothing I could do except watch the sky lighten in the east in my rear view mirror, finally they both turned off and the last few miles were done in double quick time.
 Luckily  the deer were in the right spot and I was able to get some nice silhouette shots in the pre dawn light. I had hoped for some more sunrise shots, but 5 minutes too soon they headed off into the valley and shade. Within half an hour of arriving all the pictures had been taken and I was heading home.

 Last Wednesday I had a chance to visit Woburn deer park again on the way to visit my parents. This is one of my favourite places to photograph and in the past I've managed some pleasing results, this year however has been a bit of a struggle for me we most of the deer being away from the foot paths that criss cross the park. On this morning however there seemed to be a lot of Red, Sika, and Pere David's deer over the side that I like to photograph, I think that this may have something to do with the couple of gunshots I heard coming from over the other side of the park.
 First up were a big herd of Pere David's deer near the road, being careful not to spook the deer onto the road I took a few shots of a stag that I could isolate from the main group, the light was rubbish though and I struggled to get a 60th of a second at iso 1600.

 Next up was a few Red deer, my favourites and I managed to get some half decent pictures of a female and calf as well as the usual stag's

 Then on the way back to the car I came across a Sika deer stag with his ladies.

 Last week I visited Woburn deer park on a couple of occasions to show a couple of wildlife photography friends around. There's a number of path ways that criss cross the park that allow some good photographic view points without disturbing the deer at this important time of the year. Photographers should do there utmost not to spook the deer.When approaching the deer, remember there's a road that runs through the centre of the park, I notice that the deer killed on the road total is up this year compared to last. I find it best not to directly approach them, but more move in an arc gradually getting closer while all the time watching their reaction to judge wether or not you've moved into there comfort zone. At the first sign of any unease stop, take a few pictures and allow the herd or individual to relax again before moving any closer.