Deer Photography 2025

George Wheelhouse
3 days ago
5 min read

I like to share a new set of deer photos each year, primarily taken during the autumn rutting season. So welcome to the class of '25. It was a slightly strange autumn this year, with the leaves turning early, due to the hot dry summer, and I also got a good number of photos from just a few visits. I'm undecided yet if any will make it into my Deer print gallery, with my top deer photos from over the years, but there's some nice stuff in here, I think.

Monochrome image of a majestic red deer stag with large antlers standing in an open field, mist visible from its breath against a foggy background. — Red Deer - Mist Curtain

I managed to catch the stag above bellowing on the brow of a hill, as a curtain of mist rose behind him. This was a little while after sunrise, when much of the low-lying mist was starting to dissipate. With a little distance behind him, all the mist in the valley beyond was now rising as the sun started to reach it - creating a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop. He has some last remaining antler velvet dandgling, and catching the light in a very satisfying manner. We're off to a strong start!

Close-Ups

More dangling velvet here, along with a fern to add to his crown.

A majestic red deer with large antlers stands amidst green ferns in a forest. Velvet and a fern hang from his antlers. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere. — Red Deer in Ferns

Dangling antler velvet has quickly become the theme of the post so far, as we see this one twirling down. I'm not sure why, but maybe the weather this summer prompted slower growth, or later antler development. I also saw more snapped antlers this year than most. Anyway, I caught this stag against a clear evening sky, and decided to over-expose for a white background. I love the result, and the ribbon of peeling velvet is the icing on the cake.

Close-up of a Woburn red deer with large antlers, looking directly at the camera against a plain white background. Black and white image. — Red Deer Losing Velvet (B&W)

Deer in the Landscape

As much as I love a close-up, there's always room for some wider shots, showing the deer in their environment. I've never seen their breath so vividly back-lit as this one, on this morning. In the foreground, spider webs on the long grass also catch the light.

Red Deer with antlers exhales vapor in a sunlit field, creating a warm, golden atmosphere. Trees form a blurred background. — Red Deer Dawn -2

This was my first photo of the autumn, and this deer still has a fair amount of velvet remaining. I just managed to catch him in the last rays of sun before it popped below the horizon.

A majestic stag stands in a grassy field, bathed in warm, golden light, with a lush, dark forest as the backdrop, creating a serene mood. — Red Deer Losing Velvet

This brute is well into the swing of things. Another sunset shot, but I prefered the contrast of the black and white, on this occasion.

Majestic stag stands on grass, roaring. Dark forest background. Black-and-white image with strong contrast, creating a dramatic mood. — Red Deer Calling at Sunset - B&W

I really like the softness of the light in this one - really showing those last rays fading away. I got lucky to find him in just the right place, but that's where multiple trips pay off. Like most nature photographers, my trips are more often misses than hits. But it's these that make it worthwhile.

A majestic red deer stag stands in a forest, illuminated by light, against a dark backdrop. Its antlers are prominently displayed, creating a serene mood. — Red Deer Calling at Sunset - B&W

Taken on the same morning as the first photo in this post, this is a misty opening between the trees, where a younger red deer has broken cover to see what all the bellowing is about.

Young red deer stands on misty woodland edge as sunlight streams through trees and mist, creating a serene, atmospheric scene in grayscale. — Red Deer - Misty Dawn Rays

Fight!

I saw more fights than usual this year. I'm not sure if that's also related to the weather, and extended summer bumping into autumn. Or maybe I just got lucky.

Here, early in the season, these two seemed relatively serious about things, and if you view click to view this one larger, you can see bits of dry velvet flying off thier antlers as they rake across each other, flexing and bending as they do.

Two red deer with antlers locked in a forest setting, under warm lighting. Brown fur, green blurred background, conveying intensity. — Sunset Rut

Two red deer lock antlers in a grassy field under warm sunlight, showcasing an intense confrontation against a dark forest backdrop. — Sunset Rut

Two red deer locked in antler combat on grassy field, surrounded by forest. Golden light highlights their fur. Dynamic, tense scene. — Sunset Rut

Again, I was lucky with the light, above, with these two dueling just as the sun was setting. And I like how the long branch of the oak tree in the last one mirrors the shape of the deer in front.

Below was an encounters in flatter light, but surprisingly close to me. Although with a long lens, I wasn't nearly as close as these photos might suggest. Still, it's rare to see this wild behaviour so close up.

Two red deer lock antlers in a grassy forest clearing. Their focused gaze and intertwined antlers suggest a tense standoff amid blurred trees. — Red Deer Fight

Two red deer with interlocked antlers engage in a tussle on green grass, set against a blurred forest background in warm, natural light. — Red Deer Fight

For the last in this sequence, I tried a slower shutter speed, to illustrate the motion, and the force behind these two stags. I think it was moderately successful, but maybe a slightly longer shutter speed would have been better.

Two red deer clash antlers on a vibrant green field, blurring with motion. Forest backdrop adds depth, creating a dynamic, tense scene. — Red Deer Fight (Motion-Blurred)

Scuffles at dawn now. It's always nice to combine a wildlife shot with a nice landscape, and those misty layers make for a great backdrop, combined with the pre-sunrise pastel colours.

Two red deer locking antlers on a misty field at sunrise. The soft pink and purple hues of the dawn sky create a serene backdrop. — Red Deer Dawn Tustle

Two red deer stags lock antlers in a misty meadow at dawn, with a pink-orange sky and layered hills in the background, evoking a serene competition. Woburn, Bedfordshire. — Red Deer Dawn Tustle

Portraits

The last set of photos I have from this year are all portrait-orientated, which is not necessarily common for me, but it can be the best option when you have a nice big stag staning in front of you - or in this case, you want to include that misty backdrop again.

A red deer stands in a misty field at sunrise, in Woburn, Bedfordshire. Silhouetted trees and pink sky create a calm, serene atmosphere. — Red Deer Dawn Stance

Oh dear, what a mucky boy! I like how the mud adds an extra dimension to this one, but it also belies an interesting behaviour. As the rut begins, the stags will wallow, and also rake their antlers through anything they find - in this case mud. Other times it's ferns, or long grass. I don't know if this is a case of getting used to the size and weight of this year's construction against some resistance, or whether they feel it will give them a visual edge over the competition. Either way, it cerainly makes for a spectacle.

Majestic red deer stag with large muddy antlers stands on green grass, set against a blurred forest background, exuding strength and calm. — Muddy Stag

I like the foggy breath on this one, and the antlers are kind of interesting. But I think the light was a bit harsh, and I'm not sure it's really the best photo. But it has made the cut, so I guess it has enough about it.

Majestic stag with large antlers stands on grass, breath visible in cold air, against a blurred forest background. Monochrome, serene mood. — Red Deer Chandalier (B&W)

I prefer the tones in this one. Against a darker backdrop, the deer really pops. And he's got a lovely set of near-symetrical antlers. This one's worth printing, maybe.

A majestic red deer with large antlers stands on grassy ground, calling out. The background is a blurred forest, creating a serene, natural mood. — Red Deer Rack

This one was a bit experimental, and the result is almost a bit psychedelic, but I think it worked. It's an idea I think I'll return to in the future.

A majestic stag stands with mouth open, large antlers prominent. Bokeh effect in the background creates a dreamy, natural setting. Black and white. — Red Deer Sparkle

These last two are a little wider than I'd normally shoot. Another experiment, I guess. After 15 years photographing deer, I'm always after something slighty different, and I think these are that.

Majestic red deer with large antlers stands on grassy field, trees in background, under a semi-cloudy sky. Black and white, tranquil setting. — Red Deer - Low Angle 1

A Vintage Year?

I'm not sure. I certainly got more good photos than most years. But the quality / originality was maybe a lower ceiling than some other years. It's hard to tell. I think maybe more likely is that if I'd have taken these 5-10 years ago, a few of them would be up there as portfolio shots, but since I already have so many at this point, it's hard to justify adding more unless it's something quite spectacular. But who knows, one or two of these are close, and might grow on me over time. For now, I still look back at 2021 as probably my best year for deer.

For more red deer photos, you can find my favourites in my Deer print gallery, or check out my other red deer blog posts. If there are any here or on any other post that you'd like in print, just drop me an email.

To gain access to the highly sought-after 'inner-circle' of my photography, just sign up to my mailing list for blog posts and new photos every month or two. After prints, it's the next best way of viewing my photos, and they'll always be here in better quality, before they reach social media, and with more background info alongside them.

George