Double Portrait: Red Deer

Somewhere in the distance, a lone stag was roaring, but despite our efforts, we couldn’t find him. We walked a long circuit through the countryside, explored new wildlife photography locations, and scouted promising spots for future shoots. Unfortunately, the deer remained out of sight.

So today I’m sharing a red deer photograph taken two days ago. It turned out to be an unusual double portrait of two magnificent stags. Sometimes wildlife creates its own perfect composition, and all a nature photographer has to do is recognize the moment and press the shutter.

The red deer rut is one of the most spectacular events in the European wildlife calendar. In the Moscow Region of Russia, the red deer breeding season typically begins in September, reaches peak activity in late September and early October, and gradually winds down towards the end of October. The exact timing can vary depending on weather conditions, the age of the animals, and the characteristics of the local deer population.

During the autumn rutting season, mature red deer stags gather groups of females, known as harems, and fiercely defend them against rival males. Forests and open fields echo with the deep, powerful roars of rutting stags, sometimes audible from several kilometres away. Rival males engage in dramatic roaring contests, display their impressive antlers, and occasionally clash in intense battles for dominance and mating opportunities.

For a wildlife photographer, the red deer rut offers some of the most exciting opportunities for wildlife photography in Europe. Stags become more visible, frequently emerge into open landscapes, and display fascinating natural behaviour. This makes it possible to capture not only beautiful red deer portraits but also compelling wildlife stories — from territorial displays and roaring stags to dramatic encounters between competing males.

Early autumn mornings are particularly rewarding for red deer photography. Mist drifts across the meadows, golden sunrise light illuminates the landscape, and the silhouettes of antlered stags emerge from the morning haze. These are the moments that make photographing wild deer in their natural habitat so special.

We continue our wildlife photography adventures in the northern Moscow Region, exploring the forests and fields of central Russia. October is drawing to a close, but a few red deer stags are still roaring.

I wonder how much longer the rutting season will last this year — and what new wildlife encounters are still waiting for us.