Nuzzling

Starting much earlier brought more success, but only after I had given up. The light had been special with that kind of mix of haze and low sun that suggests mystery. Blacka can look beautiful in these conditions and the prospect of unusual happenings is always present. That can be just a new vista or an unexpected trick of the light.

Then the cloud came down, the light became grey and some of the charm was lost. Having explored most of the likely parts in the hope of a better view of young deer than yesterday's (four ears over the bracken from a distance), I had turned to go back when their movement revealed them right in front. After starting to run off they slowed. There are nine in the group of which three are young calves still showing the characteristic flecking.

 Three of the hinds may be immature. Three are certainly larger animals. Occasionally the hinds nuzzled their calves.

 One of the calves looked somewhat sturdier than the others though I can't say that means a stag.

More pictures from this morning at this link.