Barking deer

[Bhargava Srivari]

A barking deer shot in bandipur last month. Also known as Indian Muntjac or Mastreani deer, this is the oldest known of all species of deer.

canon 60D, canon 100-400 L IS USM
f7.1, 1/250sec, ISO 800, EV +0.7, 400mm.

[Roopak Gangadharan]

Well composed bhargava.like the pose...seems to be alarmed at something

TFS
Roopak

[Mrudul Godbole]

Nice alert pose. Agree with Roopak, the raised hoof shows it was alarmed. Were there any alarm calls? The head turn and eye contact is nice. Thanks for sharing.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Nice pose. Difficult from the depth of field perspective. What was it watching?

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

I am looking at the Left front foot documented in this Nice Photograph.

" Dunbar Brander comments on its(Muntjac's) stilted gait,the feet being raised and (will be)set down vertically,with a high stepping,delicate action as if treading on eggs.This action is not the normal gait of the animal,but adopted when it is conscious of being watched but at the time not seeking instant escape by flight."-wrote M.Krishnan

The largest number of Muntjac I have seen till date was during my visit to Simlipal T.R (April 6-10,1980) staying at Barahapani and Jenabil FRH.I love this usually solitary animal very much.
Thanks for sharing.

SaktiWild

[Bhargava Srivari]

Thank you for all the observations.

The deer was alert after hearing another jeep approaching the scene and not of any predator :) :( In fact, when we first saw the animal, it quickly went into the bushes but I was desperate at least for a record shot. So we waited for about 5-6min and it came out again.

Cheers

[Anand Madabhushi]

Great image. I would prefer a crop by an inch at the top.