After several days of appalling weather (cold, rain, fog), it was nice to get out this morning, back to my usual haunt.
As usual it was a case of whether I can get to a spot to wait and observe, before any deer got there; otherwise they run off when they hear anyone. On my way along a track, I did see a couple of Roe Deer, who paused for a moment, then legged it! Fortunately this wasn’t in the direction I was heading, so on I continued, as quietly and stealthily as possible.
I got to my spot (behind a big old tree), without any more sightings, so it was now a case of patience; being quiet and still in the hope someone came my way. After about 40 minutes I thought I heard something, but looking around I couldn’t see anything. Then all of a sudden there he was; a Roebuck walking about 30 feet away. Unbelievable he hadn’t seen me! I kept as quiet as I could (trying to get photos), whilst he kept walking. He walked over a small wall and I couldn’t see him anymore, so I bit the bullet and crept up to the wall, peeked over and there he was. He looked my way, but I don’t think he could make me out. It was fascinating watching him looking my way, at times seeing him sniffing the air for any ‘foreign’ bodies. I hadn’t put any aftershave on so I was ok, lol. This must have gone on for 5 minutes or so before he decided to go on his way.
A lovely encounter.
I love your photos! I take my dog out really early before work. I see the deer often, mainly along the delph donkey, up by the golf club, and also on the woodland walk in Greenfield. I have an allotment on the canal path in Uppermill and have seen a young buck in the woodland there. He jumped the wall and ran right in front of me across the bridge back up towards the golf club. A deer also ran in front of my car all the way up sugar lane (l stopped) disappearing into a garden Such a magical experience!
Thanks for the compliment and for your stories.
People often ask me where I see the wildlife. I sometimes want to say that they can’t be looking well enough; they are all over Saddleworth, as you experience.
And yes it can be magical. I never tire of seeing them.