A Spring Encounter with Red Deer
- nasalyphotos
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
One of my favourite ways to enjoy nature is on rainy days—not heavy downpours, but just enough rain that the falling droplets add a special atmosphere to the photographs. This day was exactly like that.
I set out in search of red deer, knowing they had recently shed their antlers. For now, they seem to feel safer than usual, almost as if they instinctively know that their prized antlers are often what human hunters are after.
Without their "crown," even the largest and most cautious stags can enjoy a brief moment of peace.
Rain brings another benefit: wet leaves. The sound of each footstep gets muffled by the steady rhythm of raindrops falling on the forest floor. It’s incredibly helpful when trying to approach wild animals—something that’s nearly impossible in dry conditions.
I was exploring a new area when I spotted an old red deer stag resting among the trees. He appeared to be napping, which gave me the chance to get closer without being noticed.
As I crept forward, I noticed two more stags and a doe nearby. One of the stags had already shed his antlers, and the other was a young eight-pointer. As the rain began to ease, the stags stood up and started grazing on the leaves of fallen trees. It wasn’t the most delicious meal, but it’s the best that an early spring forest has to offer.
Slowly, they grazed their way toward me. When the rain finally stopped, they gave their fur a good shake to warm up again. Even though it was March, being wet in a cold breeze is far from comfortable—I could definitely relate, struggling to hold my camera as my freezing fingers refused to cooperate.
Unaware of my presence, the stags let me take all the photos I wanted. After a few minutes of grazing, they lay down again. That was the moment I knew I had captured the shots I had hoped for. Quietly, I slipped away into the forest, leaving them to enjoy the rest of their peaceful evening.
15.3.2025, Slovakia
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