Ever since I started following the local deer about 18 months ago, there have been at least five or six in the valley and woodlands, but it seems this is no longer the case. In the summer and early Autumn, unfortunately there were reports of roadside casualties nearby.
So now it looks like there are only three. For the past few weeks, I’ve only seen three roe deer (and that includes what has been caught on my trail cameras); two travelling together and one single and they are all female. I’m hoping that the lone deer is one that used to be part of a couple (male and female), as I don’t see them anymore. If so, I also hope it turns out she will be pregnant, but it will be Spring before we’d know.
It is a little disappointing there aren’t as many deer nearby at the moment, but it’s great to observe whatever comes by – just like the fox.
I almost missed seeing this fox. It was coming down the side of the valley, in amongst the ferns. Its coat matches the ferns pretty well. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a fox down here, so although there’s not as many deer, sometimes there are other surprises in store.
A heron is something regularly seen, so much so that I don’t even bother taking photos of it, unless it has potential to be a little different. One recent morning the weather was gorgeous. The early sunlight highlighting the colours of the grasses and ferns and backlighting water droplets – and a heron. I just thought it made for an interesting, atmospheric photo of a heron, stood peacefully, in the last colours of Autumn.