Thursday 2 July 2009

Final post on trip to Arne

This scene overlooks the estuary of Middlebere Lake that leads into Poole Harbour, one of the largest harbours in the world.The Sika deer is not native to Britain, but was introduced from eastern Asia around 120 years ago to a number of deer parks. The ones that are flourishing in this part of Dorset swam across Poole Harbour from Brownsea Island.
This stag has his little harem of females and there is a young one in the foreground. They tend to stay in these small herds.The stag and one of the females. The rut takes place from late September to early November. Mature males mark out their territories by thrashing bushes and fraying tree bark with their antlers and fight off their rivals in order to gather a harem of females.I love the pose this stag was taking. Definitely showing off!It had been many years since I'd visited Arne and I was glad to have the opportunity to visit there again.

9 comments:

Shelley said...

That Stag pose was PERFECT - loved that last photo! Reminds me of our local elk.

Dog Trot Farm said...

Wonderful pictures Jenny, I agree with Shellmo the Stag pose was perfect. Thanks again for another great adventure.

Eve said...

Well we are sure glad you went too Jenny Wren! Thanks so much for taking us with you! What a great photo of the stag!

Kelly said...

Gorgeous photo of the stag!!! You were in the right place at the right time! The flowers in the distance were so pretty...just sweeping across the field is so nice.

Rural Rambler said...

Well I agree with everyone that the stag pose was a great photo! The rut takes place about the same time here for our deer. Just wonderful pictures and great reading. This has been a very nice 3 day ramble. Thank you! I'm ready for the next nature trip...

NatureStop said...

A great capture of the stag.Looks like he posed for you:)

Anonymous said...

Lots of nice scenes of one of my favourite places to visit. I wasn't aware about the deer swimming across from Brownsea. Thanks Jen.

Jenny said...

Hi Shelley, he was the perfect stag. I think your elk are like our red deer and sometimes I think Sika and Red deer can interbreed. This is quite a bit of concern over here about that.

Hi Julie, glad you enjoy it. I'm not sure what my next birding adventure is going to be.....

Hi Evie, you're very welcome along anytime! (-:

Hi Kelly, yes, that doesn't happen that often for me so it's nice when it does! (-:

Hi RR, yep, I'm ready for the next nature trip too.....I'm hoping to 'do' something this weekend, we'll see...

Hi A & S, yes it did seem to be that he was looking at me with that crazed eye! (-:

Hi Roy, I got that little bit of info from my trusty Readers Digest on Animals of Britain book, so hopefully it is right! (-:

Mary said...

Amazing shots! What beautiful deer they are! That stag is really showing off and your photos are great!