The monarch stag LONDON, ENGLAND STRIKING IMAGES of a stag bellowing in the golden hour light on October 8th have been captured. Images show the incredible 16 point Monarch male getting ready for the rutting season and trying to find a female. Red deer antlers may reach 90 cm (3 ft.) in length and weigh 3 kg (6.6 lbs) each, although 70 cm (2 ft. 4 in.) and 1 kg (2.2 lbs) is more common. During their development, the antlers are soft and vulnerable to damage and covered in a greyish-purple coloured membrane called velvet. Over subsequent years the antlers should become progressively larger and branched. A Red deer with 12 points (six per antler) to his antler is called a Royal stag, while 14 points make an Imperial stag and an animal with 16 points or more is referred to as a Monarch. These images were captured by marketing executive Marc Freebrey (49) from Gloucestershire, UK. Marc captured the Red Deer in Busy Park, London, where Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely, just as they did when Henry VIII used to hunt there. Marc used a Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens, f/4.5, 1/200 sec, ISO AUTO to capture the mighty Monarch. ?It is mating season for the Fallow and Red deer, ? said Marc. ?The large males bellow and clash antlers in fights for dominance to win the attention of as many females as possible. ?There are a number of deer in the park, but you have to watch the weather and plan to arrive very early to be in position to capture the sunrise and early morning mist. ?There was a feeling of great excitement and satisfaction. ?People often do not appreciate the effort and dedication required and on this occasion I travelled a total of six hours to get the photos. ?For safety, you should always stay 30-40 meters away at all times. ?Thrilling and scary in equal measures ?These shots are all of a very powerful 16 point Monarch male, a pleasure to capture.? ENDS
