HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - SCOTTISH ANGELS AND RED DEER

 Having shared Autumn Angels last month, in December I am sharing ones with an international vibe. 

Today I went to Scotland but only online. I wanted an animal to accompany our angel, so I did a search on finding ones that could be found in Scotland. They mentioned the Red Deer, so here they are. 

I also asked for information on this beautiful animal, and the information said in the UK it is their largest deer. With its massive antlers it is an unmistakable icon of the Scottish Highlands but can be seen in northwest and southern England too.

In the Autumn males produce large, branching, rather magnificent antlers in the rutting season. They live on moorland and mountainsides, as well as grasslands near to woodland. 

They can be seen in deer parks throughout the country. They mainly eat grasses, sedges, rushes and dwarf shrubs like heather.

The Red Deer has a dark, russet-brown fur, with a paler buff rump patch and a pale tail. They are common in Scotland, particularly the Highlands and Islands. Also found in the Lake District, Exmoor, the New Forest and Thetford Forest. 

A male red deer is called a 'stag', a female deer is called a 'hind'. The most characteristic of a male is the impressive, branched antlers, which can measure up to 45 inches in length (115 centimeters) and weigh as much as 11 lbs. (15 kg), though the average weight is closer to 2.2 lbs. (1 kilogram).

 Within a few weeks of shedding old antlers, new ones will begin to grow. They are covered in a soft skin called 'velvet', which nourishes them with blood vessels. Antler-growing is an energy-intensive activity and stags often lose weight during this process. They shed them annually, usually at the end of winter and new ones will grow in the spring, up to 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) a day. 

The size and number of points on a stag's antlers may not be a reliable way to determine their age. A fully mature UK red stag (male red deer) typically weighs between 200 to 570 pounds (90 to 260 kilograms), depending on the habitat and season, with the largest individuals reaching up to 750 pounds (340 kilograms) in prime condition. 

Stags from English woodlands are generally larger than those found on Scottish hillsides. On the other hand, a female red deer (hind) is significantly smaller, usually weighing less than 330 pounds (150 kilograms). 

So, even though I have no real pictures of these beautiful animals, it was very enjoyable finding out about them. There are a number of websites online you can browse through if you put "Red Deer Scotland" in your search engine, with great photos. 

I spent a week camping in Scotland with friends when I was 23. I am not sure I will ever get back there but remember Scotland for the beautiful scenery and the hospitable people.

Thanks for looking and I hope your day is a great one.