Morning Dew - Roe Deer

Deer are found in most parts of the world. They have successfully adapted themselves to an increase in human population. In fact, humans have encouraged this because through history, deer have been a favourite food and 'sport' species. Populations of white-tailed deer, for example, are very high even in the industrialized urbanized areas of eastern North America.

But no deer have adapted better to human settlement than the roe deer. They are relatively small, 20 to 30 inches at the shoulder, and can easily hide in a farm field, hedgerow or wood lot. I associate them with the timeless rural countryside of southern England.

My favourite place is near Stonehenge. It has ancient pre-Druid earthworks, a Roman flint pit and a Saxon church. The old beech woods have been maintained as a natural habitat for centuries by various British aristocrats. The primary purpose is to provide habitat for a sustained population of roe deer for the tables of the upper crust.
Although I don't hunt, I have stalked the deer with the 'gamekeeper of the estate' for closer looks to sketch and photograph. I felt a thrill that dated back to my readings of Robin Hood.

This is a "big" buck in a typical nervous pose as he comes out of the forest to graze the meadow in the early morning dew.