Studley Royal

Studley Royal is a great place to practice photography. The Deer, while still naturally nervous of people are used to the many people that walk around the park.

Many times I have been up there, especially during the rutting season, always hoping to catch the mature stags tangling their antlers together. As yet, I am still to capture the moment.

The closest I came was a couple of immature Roe Stags play fighting. The sound of those antlers clattering, and the spooky Bellows of the Stags from the other side of the park give false hope of a fight.

One day, given enough patience, I may get that shot I want, but I am not holding any hope.

But the Deer are a pleasure to photograph all the same. Hyper aware, they are aware of you long before you are aware of them. Standing under the shade of a tree until they take less notice of you, or become more interested in someone else or their dog. You stand there ages, looking through the viewfinder, waiting, just waiting for them to raise their heads, or stand in line, or something. Then without warning, from behind the shreik of a child, louder than any fog horn sends the deer scattering all over. Quietly cursing, its time to find another tree and start it all over again.

Take a trip up to Studley Park if your in the Harrogate/Ripon area, its a great walk around the park.

At home in the Grass by Michael Thompson