Is that you deer?

I spent all morning at the computer compiling a disc of photographs. What a laborious task this is but I am compelled to do it, as I cannot stand the computer in a mess.

It threatened rain all day but by late afternoon I decided to risk it and go for an eight mile circular route over the Ridgeway with the dogs.

We encountered a hare, a covey of partridge and this young stag. Although I got them all on camera, I wanted to use this gorgeous deer who was looking straight at me through the hedge without even realising where I was. He could hear the dogs, who were very keen to investigate but the hedge was dense and prevented them from getting through. He kept making noises that were a cross between a barking dog and a grunting warthog.
Eventually he turned tail and bounded down the wheat field.
You cannot imagine how many attempts I made to get him in focus....I think the gap between the foliage was about the size of a postage stamp :-)

When we returned to the car, the car park was almost empty. It was a lovely summery evening and I regretted not packing a picnic. There's always next time.