Mating Roe Deer.

Canon 5D, Canon 500mm f4 & Canon 1.4X Extender.
1/160 sec @ f5.6, Av mode, -1/3 exposure compensation.
Gitzo 1548, Manfrotto 501 video head.

Levels, hue/saturation, Neatimage???, Full frame.



Hi,

I thought I'd share this image from a particularly memorable morning.

Roe deer are a particular passion of mine (in case you hadn't noticed ) and although I've been photographing them for quite a few years now, I've always wanted to photograph some mating behaviour, to add to my collection. I've had a couple of chances over the years, but often the circumstances weren't ideal, i.e. too far away, deer partially obscured, facing the wrong way, horrible harsh light, etc. etc.
On this particular morning the conditions were far from ideal, with heavy, continuous rain and very low light levels.
Previous to this,I had been out searching for the deer on dozens of occasions, but to no avail. It was most frustrating, as I knew there were several individuals about and it was right at the peak of their rut, but with such a vast area available to them, finding the deer was proving almost impossible. On this occasion however, I got lucky.
I spotted a buck and doe amongst the heather on the side of a small hill. He was lying down resting and she was grazing on the heather about thirty feet away from him. He's a fairly old and wise buck that I've encountered lots of times before. I knew if I didn't take any liberties and was careful with my approach, then there was a good chance he'd tollerate my presence.
I stood and watched them for a while, edging my way closer when I thought it was appropriate to do so.
After ten minutes or so, the doe wandered off into some deep cover, followed by the buck. I was convinced that was the last I'd see of them that day, but to my suprise, a couple of minutes later, the doe emerged from the vegetation with the buck immediately behind her, with his chin resting on her back, a sure sign that mating was just seconds away. I was fortunate enough to have them stop directly in front of me and proceed to mate.
I had finally got the shot I had been after and I ended up spending the next two hours with them and witnessing several repeat performances.
A most memorable and satisfying day


LARGER VERSION

Not only a rare chance, but one that is very well taken and in a very scenic area too.

Many congrats on getting this shot Justin.

Thanks John

certainly not a shot that is easy to come by, so well done you love tee colours thay add very nicely.

Well done you for sticking with it.

Cracking shot, Justin. A great reward for your persistence and perseverance.

congratulations on achieve what you set out to do a few years ago you must be well pleased with your result, well taken

A cracker indeed!
Frederic

Well done getting this behaviour in such a gorgeous setting!

greetings,

Jeroen Stel

Very well caught and love all the surroundings with the colour lovely shot

That's not a shot you see very often! Excellent.
Pete

In all my years stalking Roe this is something I've never seen Justin - excellent capture born of good fieldcraft - top shot

Very rarely seen and you made the most of capturing this xxx rated scene. A bit special Justin!

David

I echo the above a cracking image

Congratulation on getting this special shot in such a wonderful setting. Very well done.

Hi Justin, I think this is on the wrong Forum Wonderful capture and great field craft.

All been said-a beauty

Dave

Lovely capture Justin

Hello Justin.

Superb capture of the Roe deer caught in a setting that is equally as nice and makes for an image that is very pleasing to look at.

Cracking behaviour image.

Cheers,
Chris

A just reward and a cracking shot. Like everything about it

Great natural image captured,detail in them both is brillant,lovely composition with them higher in the frame

Terrific behaviour and gorgeous surrounding habitat.

That'll do.
Good stuff.
JR

A well deserved capture Justin. Your patience and perseverance paid off. The setting just tops the whole thing off.

Fantastic image.

Ian