The fun of Richmond park in the rut

[Ukwildlifeo]

I went to Richmond Park on Saturday, at it was very busy, but still quite enjoyable. There were a 'few' photographers around


How many £1000s worth of kit do you reckon - in fact from this angle its hard to see the length of the telephotos. This lot knew hat they were doing too, just sitting and waiting, only for the stag to go right round them and move towards another stag and its harem (the photo is of it moving back again)

Unfortunately not all were as well behaved/informed. This lady was baffled why all the other photographers were so far back when she could get so close. It got to the point where I wanted to say something but was terrified Id spook the stag and cause a tourist kebab! lol


Im on about 300mm here and shes 3/4m away. Too make matter worse she seemed quite happy to walk in the way of all the sensible folks behind her


So the 2 things to take away from this are:

1. Just because you CAN get close to a stag in the rut DONT (but I imagine most people on here know that! )
2. In the rut go to deer parks on weekdays whenever possible!

[Dogghound]

Its cheating , I have to get up at 4am and sneak through the woods to get close to a deer. This looks so easy. Not sure I would personally get that close to a stag though.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Im on about 300mm here and shes 3/4m away. Too make matter worse she seemed quite happy to walk in the way of all the sensible folks behind her.

On a different day, with the stag in a different mood, I imagine your shots could have been sold to the Papers for thousands

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

On a different day, with the stag in a different mood, I imagine your shots could have been sold to the Papers for thousands

lol the thought did occur as I walked away - but then health and safety would probably make the rangers go round putttin corks on tips of all the deers antlers

[RoseStones]

Yep, I'll second this. I was there just a few weeks ago and was quite careful not to get too close. Then I noticed a couple of folks who literally walked right up to a stag. Part of me was willing them to get a scare just so they don't try that trick with other more sensitive wildlife!

[Tracey.A]

What a shame for all the photographers who were keeping their distance from the stag and patiently waiting for a good shot to have this woman just walk up to it and spoil their line of view. She was very lucky not to be dangling from those very impressive antlers! I hope someone took her aside and explained to her how dangerous this is or were they so annoyed that they suggested she get even closer!

I liked the pic of the stag and the line of photographers photographing the stag

Tracey

[Hoppingmad]

I visited Richmond Park about 3 weeks ago to photograph the deer and arrived about 8 am on a Sunday morning. Good time to arrive - misty and beautiful with fantastic views of rutting deer and not too many cars or people. Really worth a visit.


Never seen so many photographers though - there was practically one of us behind every tree!

A tip for those who want to visit - arrive early and leave early - traffic terrible by lunchtime. Takes ages to get home.

[gess]

Im on about 300mm here and shes 3/4m away. Too make matter worse she seemed quite happy to walk in the way of all the sensible folks behind her


So the 2 things to take away from this are:

1. Just because you CAN get close to a stag in the rut DONT (but I imagine most people on here know that! )
2. In the rut go to deer parks on weekdays whenever possible!

Goodness!!! I'm stunned that the stag is just lying there!!!!!!!!!!!
They aren't quite so relaxed around here ever In fact I've never seen one lying down... not that I would go so near

Gess

[RoseStones]

Oh yeah, they really are that tame. Amazing eh? With a nice portrait you could convince someone you'd waited for a week camped in the cold on the Isle of Rhum to get a great shot

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Tracey.A

What a shame for all the photographers who were keeping their distance from the stag and patiently waiting for a good shot to have this woman just walk up to it and spoil their line of view. She was very lucky not to be dangling from those very impressive antlers! I hope someone took her aside and explained to her how dangerous this is or were they so annoyed that they suggested she get even closer!

I liked the pic of the stag and the line of photographers photographing the stag

Tracey

Something i didnt put in was how some of the tourists with compacts were behaving. I was sitting on a bench by the road and facing the park office and watching the small herd of harem of deer on the grass in fornt of the office. Then I noticed a group of young adult tourists and one trying to edge towards a young stag with a compact at the end of his arm at full stretch. But ever time he started to get anywhere near it it ran off a bit, eventually it moved off, only to be caught between the young adult the harem, the road and an approaching family. he headed for the harem and was quickly chased off my the leading stag. This young adult then tried the same trick with a few females with little luck - you thought he would have work it out.
Going back to the approaching family they decided to stick the the 'path' (a short line of grass accross the field.) - which lead right through the middle of the harem, and the spooked all the deer. Which I guess if you wernt thinking might happen. But then the dad/uncle/<insert word here> decided to take the young kid with him by the hand and walk right up to the already spooked deer and a nice piccy. needless to say I was wincing, but thankfully they got away with it. All that happned in the 20mins we sat down for a snack! Like I said - all the fun of richmond park!