Dueling Deer . . .
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon rules. Our duels are engagements between tw...
Read more
A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon rules. Our duels are engagements between two deer. Though these two deer look like they are in combat they are only practicing with one another. After I told them to knock it off before we had another poke in the eye problem, they laid next to each. When we purchased our home and the land next to us it came with 18 deer. The deer on the left we nicknamed Buddy! He is an amazing deer.
Read less
Read less
Jan, 2018Views
4338
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Picturing Other Species Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 6
Contest Finalist in Animals In The Wild Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife On The Move Photo Contest
Top Shot Award
Featured
Contest Finalist in Colossal Wildlife Photo Contest
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
PRO+
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
PRO+
Platinum
PRO+
Platinum
Teri_Reames
February 02, 2019
They are an an amazing animal to have living on our property. Thank you so much for your kindness!
Platinum
Platinum
erinpeters
January 28, 2019
There is something about capturing a moment that may never had been seen otherwise! Thanks for sharing! Does a tiny part of you wish that you where watching this in awe from your eyes instead or would it have been impossible without the zoom?
Platinum
Teri_Reames
March 17, 2019
During rutting season I see this all the time close up as we have 18 deer that live on our property. So this is normal for me. :)
Platinum
PRO+
Platinum
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
Believe it or not I shot this photo on our property here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. These two deer where dueling right out our back door. At the beginning of September rutting season begins and the deer on our property start practicing their dueling skills. A deers testosterone levels are at their peak making them more aggressive at this time of year.Time
These two deer just so happened to be dueling towards the end of the day in late afternoon, giving a golden glow.Lighting
Since this photo was shot in the late afternoon it gave off a golden hue. Reflecting off the deer antlers and wood chips.Equipment
I now own a Nikon D5 but I believe I shot this photo with my Nikon D810. When it is rutting season with the deer I always use my Nikkor 80-400 lens as deer can be unpredictable at this time of year. With this photo there was no other equipment used.Inspiration
We have 18 deer that live on our property full time. Rutting season is when the deers testosterone levels are at their highest making the deer want to show who is the most dominant. These two deer were definitely practicing their dueling skills. It is pretty spectacular watching two deer battling it out with one another. Some duels are more fierce then others. Sometimes we have inquiries due to these duels. But non the less, it is nature at its best.Editing
I always shoot in RAW so I start all my photos in Lightroom to make what adjustments may be needed. From Lightroom I then transfer to Photoshop where I finish any additional editing the photo may require. I try not to over process my photos to keep a more natural look.In my camera bag
I keep two camera bags. The large camera bags carries all my lenses. The camera bag I carry for a shoot is where I keep my camera and which lenses I have chosen for that practical shoot. In my bag I have different filters, a cable release, flash, etc. Depending on weather I keep covers and towels to always wipe down my camera.Feedback
My best advice to capture a shot like this is being in the right place at the right time. And having patience. Always remember these are wild animals and treat them accordingly. I would use a long lens so that you do not disturb the deer while they are in action. You want the focus of the deer to be on each other, not you!!!!!
