NORMANBY’S RED DEER RUT UNDERWAY

Great drama in the Park this morning as the Red Deer rut reaches a crescendo – I knew as soon as I walked into the ‘arena’ that things had progressed since yesterday, as I noticed lots of roughed up ground where the stags had been digging their antlers in.  The smell of the grass as I walked through was also pungently strong due to the scent marking of the Stags so…..
here is the group of Hinds which is being carefully watched over by one dominant Stag
























and here he is!

he is exceptionally loud at the moment

and very wary – you have to keep your distance hiding behind trees as they spook so easily

here is one of him ground gouging with his antlers

and here is the contender – I couldn’t understand why this this Stag wasn’t as nervous as the main herd – I kept getting closer and closer but he just didn’t seem aware of me

It was until I downloaded the photos and zoomed in that I understood why he wasn’t nervous – he couldn’t see me! his eye has been badly damaged probably by the dominant stag and the nights activity – obviously a big battle has gone on here but he isn’t giving in – although he is 300-400 metres from the main group he is still bellowing out making his presence heard

I can’t wait to see how the rut progresses – apart from these two Stags there are 3-4 others, currently keeping their distance but who knows when and who the next challenger will be.