The sharp frost made me re-think my lunchtime walk today, and instead of the pond I headed over to the local fields just at the edge of Falmer. The light was ‘in and out’, but generally it was fine and with no wind to speak of the near freezing conditions were actually quite pleasant. It wasn’t long before I spotted some movement across the fields. A roe deer, but a long way off. I decided to try to get a bit closer and, keeping close to the hedgerow, headed down the valley and towards this bank of hay situated out in the field.

The deer had settled just a little way beyond here, and the hay provided a good barrier to keep my approach hidden. To my amazement it worked!

I stayed put for several minutes before very slowly edging around the hay. The roe didn’t take any notice of me, but I did startle a pair of red-legged partridges who were lurking at the front of the stack.

I kept close to the hay, moving as little as possible.

She picked herself up after 5 or 10 minutes of quiet watching, stuck her tongue out and wandered off.

And looked back one last time before ambling away. I headed in the opposite direction. it had been great watching her, but work beckoned.

As I was heading back to the road, I heard noises in the distance and two more roe deer came hurtling across the field in the distance.

And that was it. A brief lunchtime encounter, but such a good one.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.