Delta Ged, Volunteer Ranger @ National Trust Lyme Park : Week 60 11/03/2015

Photo Blog Week 60 - Wed 11 March 2015

I'm afraid there's not much here this week. In the morning I was introducing a new ranger to the Park and with attention elsewhere and doing a lot of talking I didn't take many photos. As I said good bye to her, the weather was changing and miserable rain and gusty wind took over from a pleasant though blustery morning and the camera stayed under cover.

Welcome All

I was looking at visits to this blog and feel I need to say, "Hi", to USA visitors who make up about a third of my visitors and, "Bonjour", to French visitors who come in third. I find this quite puzzling but your are all most welcome wherever in the world you are. Please feel free to use the comments.

route: Main Car Park; Estate Office (in the House); The Stables (Ranger Office); Driveway to The Knott car park

Stag Party

Bachelor groups of stags are scattered around the Park nibbling on the tips of spring grass which is evident from the green haze looking across the grass. The hinds are now pregnant and tending to remain in their sanctuary together. The stags are of no interest to the hinds and the feeling is mutual.

The Rangers have stopped feeding the Red Deer now as natural feed becomes more plentiful. They may still get some silage for a while as the Park still has remaining stock.

Over the next few weeks these stags will shed their magnificent antlers ready to grow new ones in time for the next rut in October and November. Each year, the new set will have more or larger 'tines' or spikes.

The pale tan colour and slightly 'tatty' appearance of their coats is in high contrast to the rich ruddy browns of the rut period. The muscular definition is also much reduced.