The Living Forest (209) : Red Deer

The Living Forest (209) : Red Deer

It’s early autumn, in the forest the mating ritual of the Red Deer, called the rut, has begun again.

Mature stags (males) compete for the attentions of the hinds (females) with a very distinctive and loud "roar" that can be heard for miles around in the forest.

The hinds are initially attracted to those stags that both roar most often and have the loudest roar call.

Dutch name : Edelhert
German name : Rothirsch
Latin name : Cervus elaphus

Location : Hertogenwald at Eupen (Belgium)

A big thanks to Sinco for the nomination of this picture !