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Fallow Deer (Dama dama)
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This Fallow Deer (Dama dama) is from the Herd at Powderham castle in Devon, I actually went down looking for nesting Herons and ended up with this little lad (and fish and chips).
Thanks to all who view and comment on my pictures.
PP
Converted from RAW
Cropped slightly
Resized for TL
USM
FALLOW DEER
Recognition. Intermediate in size between roe and red deer. There are four main variations in coat but many minor variations also exist including a long-haired version found in Mortimer forest, Shropshire. The common variety is the familiar tan/fawn colour with white spotting (becoming long and grey with indistinct spots in winter) on the flanks and white rump patch outlined with characteristic black horse-shoe. The Menil variety is paler, lacks the black bordered rump and keeps its white spots all year. The black variety is almost entirely black with no white coloration anywhere. Finally, the white variety can be white to sandy coloured and becomes more white at adulthood. This is a true colour variety and not albinism, which is rare. The fallow is the only British deer with palmate antlers.
Adult size. Bucks (males): 84 to 94cm at shoulder, 46 to 94kg. Does (females): 73 to 91cm at shoulder, 35 to 56kg.
Antlers. Palmate in adult (>3 years), increase in size with age, up to 70cm long.
Life span. Exceptionally, 16 years, bucks (males) rarely exceed 8 to 10 years. Status. Non-native but considered naturalised. Locally abundant and increasing.
UK distribution. Widespread in England and Wales, patchy in Scotland.
Habitat. Mature broadleaf woodland with under-storey, open coniferous woodland, open agricultural land.
Food & feeding. Preferential grazers of grasses although trees and dwarf shrub shoots will be taken during autumn and winter.
Origins & history. The extant species of fallow deer found in Britain was introduced by the Normans in the 10th century although some would suggest that the Romans attempted to introduce it here much earlier. Fallow deer were prized as ornamental species and were protected in Royal Hunting "Forests" for royal sport. During Mediaeval times many deer parks that held fallow deer were established and these and more recent park escapees have given rise to the free-living populations in Britain today.
Social Organisation. Group sizes as well as the degree of sexual segregation varies according to population density and habitat. Groups of adult males and females, usually with young, remain apart for most of the year in large woodlands, only coming together to breed. Sexes freely mix in large herds throughout the year in open, agricultural environments.
Info from www.bds.org.uk |
Silke, szekelykristof, lilimih33 has marked this note useful
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- Silke
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3368 W: 284 N: 6439]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(23900) - [2008-06-14 7:33]
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Outstanding composition here and the gentle colours are very realistic. I can see how easily these creatures can blend into the landscape
TFS
silke
Hi Andy
Lovely composition and superb colours - nice one
Cheers
Pez
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- Immo (4)
- [2008-06-14 10:30]
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Hi Andy,
Nice!!
Good Focus and depth of field.
Good colours and natural looking composition.
Thanks
Mike
Hi Andy,
Amazing moment to capture a beautiful animal. Nice colour and light, but I think more contrast and sharpness would have been better. Anyway, that's a good photo. TFS!
All the best,
Kristof
hi, nice shot, lighting and details look great , really nice composition
rgds
Allen
Hello Andy!
Beautiful capture, nice colours and good light!
Perfect clarity!
Very nice point of view!
Best regards!
Lili
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 265 W: 97 N: 146]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(30)![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 117 W: 34 N: 134]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
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