A Stag Party in the Highlands

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Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/125 @ f8 ISO1600 (zoom 560mm)
One of the highlights of the two day winter photo trip into the Highlands of Scotland was the number of stags we saw and photographed.  Red Deer  (Cervus elaphus) roam the Highlands of Scotland but while I have seen them further south, I hadn't expected to see them in such abundance on this trip.

 We had seen and photographed a young stag on the roadside as we were leaving Applecross on Friday evening and I was pretty pleased with the results in such poor light, but little did I know we were going have more opportunities on the second day of our trip.
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF50-140mm f2.8 - 1/110 @ f2.8 ISO6400 (zoom 140mm)
As we were travelling from Loch Assynt up to Kylesku I spotted three stags off in the distance.  As we rounded a bend in the road I noticed a large rock was obscuring us from the stags and so I could, hopefully, get closer without being spotted.

 As I crept around the side of the rock I managed to capture several images with the X-T2 and the 100-400mm with the 1.4x converter fitted, before the stags took flight. While I was difficult to spot from my location I realised I was up wind of the stags and so they were alerted to my presence.  
Stalking deer with a camera in the Highlands of Scotland (credit: Alistair Spence)
One of the stags ran to a rocky out crop before stopping to observe what I was doing and to make sure I wasn't following.  It made for a beautiful image (see picture at top of the page).

 I walked back to the car very happy with the shots I had managed to capture, but we were in for another treat.  As we headed to Drumbeg I spotted some antlers poking up from the long grass, there were three stags sitting down obscured from view with the exception of their long horns.
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/600 @ f4 ISO1600 (zoom 196mm)
Again I fitted the X-T2 with the 100-400mm and 1.4x converter before exiting the car.  While I was concentrating on the stags that were now alerted to my presence and were starting to get up and walk away, behind me there was a large male feeding on the vegetation.  I walked along the road to get closer but this time the stag didn't seem bothered by my presence.  I even took the 1.4x converter off the camera because I was close enough not to need it.
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 - 1/250 @ f5.6 ISO1600 (zoom 335mm)
Eventually the stags all wandered off but not before I had captured a set of images that were even better than the previous stop.

 We did see more single animals and small herds on our way down to Altandhu but we decided to press on to make sure we captured the sunset that looked promising at the end of the day.

 CLICK HERE for more information on Red Deer (Cervus elaphus).
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF10-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/160 @ f8 ISO1600 (zoom 560mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/600 @ f4 ISO1600 (zoom 196mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/450 @ f4 ISO1600 (zoom 196mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/340 @ f8 ISO3200 (zoom 560mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/220 @ f8 ISO3200 (zoom 560mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/250 @ f8 ISO3200 (zoom 560mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 - 1/320 @ f4.5 ISO1600 (zoom 100mm)
Fujifilm X-T2 +XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 - 1/250 @ f5.6 ISO1600 (zoom 360mm)
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ALL IMAGES (UNLESS INDICATED) ARE THE PROPERTY OF MACLEAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION

MacLean Photographic run Tours and Workshops in East Lothian and the Borders of Scotland.  CLICK HERE for more details and availability

Jeff Carter is an Official Fujifilm X Photographer and was named as a Fujifilm brand ambassador in June 2015. In 2016 he worked with the company on the launches of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 in Tokyo and the Fujifilm X-T2 in Paris in July 2016.  You can view his profile and gallery on the Fujifilm website HERE

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Location: Drumbeg, Lairg IV27, UK

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