Critique Big Moor Stags

[rpsmith79]

I love this time of year, no so much the getting up at the crack of dawn on a weekend, but i am lucky enough to live only 15 mins away from Big Moor in Derbyshire, and having discovered the presence of Red Deer here a few years ago, it has now become a b it of an obsession to try and catch them rutting, of which i am still unsuccessful in

I thought i was going to get 'the shot' on Sunday morning when these 2 rather large Stags were bellowing at each other from either side of the path i was on, alas they did not rut, but i did manage to catch one of my favourite shots thus far of a couple of Big Moors Red Deer stags

Any comments/critique welcomed

It was shot at pretty high ISO as it was still very early and a bit misty, and having my TC on the 300mm i was down to f5.6 wide open, luckily i had my tripod as i would never have got the shot handheld at 1/180th SS


Passing Stags by Richard Smith, on Flickr

 

[Kodiak Qc]

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I love the tones in the lower part, here's a suggestion of an alternative
artistic intent for your appreciation:

 

[redfan]

Love the colours of this. Not sure on Kodiak edit, as I cant see much, if any, difference.

I would have been surprised if these two did lock antlers as they are very mismatched (just look at the difference in antlers). In my experience, the locking antlers is a very last resort. Bellowing, followed by parallel walking is as close most ever get.

 

[rpsmith79]

Cheers @Kodiak Qc , and yes i was so glad the heather still had a bit of its wonderful colouring left as it is difficult to pick the deer out when it's all turned back to brown again

 

[rpsmith79]

Love the colours of this. Not sure on Kodiak edit, as I cant see much, if any, difference.

I would have been surprised if these two did lock antlers as they are very mismatched (just look at the difference in antlers). In my experience, the locking antlers is a very last resort. Bellowing, followed by parallel walking is as close most ever get.

I have witnessed the parallel walking before, and seen the quickest glimpse of 2 young stags having a practice rut (was over in the blink of an eye), but i'm determined to try and get a rut shot this year

It was a bit of a brown trouser moment when this guy crossed over the path right in front of me to head towards the guy in the background, it was a bit too close for comfort

 

[rpsmith79]

This is the same chap from earlier on when he scared the life out of me when he popped his head up from over the brow of a hill running parallel with the path i was on and bellowed with all his might


I Can See You!!!!! by Richard Smith, on Flickr