Sika Deer.

Sika Deer,  on Black Down

A trip up the hill today in the late afternoon to watch the sun set from the new stone circle. Wildlife was not much in evidence, a couple of Carrion Crows, a few Rooks on their way to their night roost, the occasional Herring Gull belatedly making its way to the coast, plus the odd Wood Pigeon. Nothing very exciting perhaps, but suddenly everything changed and on the skyline a magnificently antlered Sika Deer appeared, silhouetted against the rapidly darkening sky. Before I could get the camera from my pocket for what would have been a very dramatic shot it moved away across the heath  but continued grazing, occasionally looking up for danger. The distinctive white rump is clearly visible. Said to be nocturnal and spending the daylight hours in the woods this one has clearly made an early start on its browsing.
Shortly afterwards I caught a few short glimpses of the sun, partially obscured by thin cloud, as it set bang in the middle of the aperture through the south westerly facing pillar which  is aligned with the winter solstice sunset.