Summer Doe

I’d spent a long time observing and photographing roe deer in a local wild meadow. They are usually very skittish, but over time the does became somewhat accustomed to my presence. They’d always keep an eye on me, but were quite happy to carry on with their day.

The bucks were less accommodating.

They were very vocal in their disapproval of my presence, barking as soon as I was anywhere near. They seemed to expect their does to follow them, but that didn’t necessarily happen.

This evening was an exceptional one. One where I walked away feeling rewarded for the time I'd spent with these deer, and the field craft I'd developed through observing them. It felt like a privilege to be accepted into their world.

This doe was feeding amongst the wild meadow, completely aware of my presence. She’d graze in comfort, occasionally giving me a watchful eye, but at no point did she look worried or disturbed. She was content for me to be there.

Normally, I'd have to sneak around, ducking and diving through the long grass in an attempt to move myself into a favourable position. With tall grass and small deer, my odds were slim.

But still I went.

It was an easy spot for me to get to. It was quiet. There were nearly always deer. And it worked at both dawn and dusk.

This was taken at dusk.

The golden-hour light was already gone, the sun having dropped too low to bathe the meadow. Everything around the doe was falling into shadow.

But behind her, the tree line was still catching the last of the summer evening light.

And there she stood, completely at ease, grazing in the meadow as the last light picked out the trees behind her.

'Summer Doe' was Highly Commended by British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2022