Autumn has arrived at Charlecote Park

October has arrived and what a glorious start to the month. I love Autumn, how could one not?
It is such a colourful time of year and you don't have to go to a garden to see it. It is everywhere, from the roads you drive along to the avenues you walk down. Shades of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows which turn golden in the sunlight. They are appearing in towns and throughout the countryside and what glorious colours they are. It should be called an Autumn rainbow. Well I think so anyway. Here is some of the beginning of Autumn at Charlecote Park.

The Autumn colours are really starting to come out in the Woodland Garden.

                         
                                                       Hill park

A stunning Pricket in West Park with the Autumn Sun shining behind him.

The trees that line the avenue to the Church are also starting to change colour. 

From the top of the Gatehouse you can see the Autumn colours on Camp Ground.

                                     I love walking in Autumn leaves.

Waking up to misty mornings clearing to show a beautiful blue sky makes a perfect day for me. Walks in the countryside at this time of year are just so magical. It is a time I try to get out a little more as there is a freshness in the air that belongs to Autumn alone.

Something I never forget when walking around is to always look behind me. You never know what you might see! I have just framed this picture to go on my walls.

One morning standing by the lake I was so looking forward to sunrise as the clouds were amazing and the reflection in the lake was perfect!

Unfortunately, as the Sun came up, the clouds moved away and I ended up with the picture below. This is nature and photography. It's all about luck and being in the right place and the right time! The colours and reflections would have been amazing if the clouds would have stayed but that's how it goes.

Mist and sunrise at Slaughter Bridge.

I love the way you can see the sun's rays easier on misty mornings as the light hits the mist.

Spiders webs just before the Sun comes up. It's ok no spiders :)

And after the Sun has started to come up it puts a beautiful light on everything....even webs!

Along with the vibrant colours, it is also the start of the Rutting season. There are three events in the year within the park at Charlecote that I get really excited about. The first is early in the year, waiting for the news lambs to arrive. Soon after the lambs, the new fawns start to show their faces. It is always a really special experience to spot the first one of that year. New life is always magical. The third event of the year is the Rut which has just started.  It is a time of year the deer go through so many changes and look so magnificent. I love it and volunteering at Charlecote Park has it's benefits. I get to see all these events and so much more.

 If you are interested in volunteering at Charlcote Park, contact the lovely Rosie through this link. There is so many ways in which you can help and it's a lovely friendly group of people to join. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park/join-in/

   Here are some of my favourite clips of the rutting season last year.

At this time of year, the bucks look so different. They have filled out so much, their necks have got thicker, their fur thickened and darkened all ready for the rut and the Winter ahead.

Bucks sniffing the air.

They are always on guard at this time of the year and they can move very quickly.

I always stay well back during the rut and use my longest lens.

                         

Sometimes in the mist you don't see them until you are a lot closer so I keep my head down  and move away. Photo first though :)

 They bucks have to build up as much as they can before the rut as, not only do they need to be at their best, but they also lose a lot of their body weight during the rut. They don't have time to eat and will not be able to rest as they do throughout the rest of the year.

The other evening I managed to catch my first rut this year on video. Occasionally when I am out especially at this time of day, I really wish I could split myself in two. Behind me at the time was one of the best sunsets I had seen in a long time, luckily though, I wasn't the only keen photographer on site that evening, Rosie who is the 'Front of House & Volunteer Co-ordinator at Charlecote managed to catch it. 

Here is the rutting video I managed to record, a little pink from the sunset.

I also managed to record this little cute video on the same night from inside my secret hiding place. I had to be so quiet not to disturb them. The clip makes me smile every time I watch it. I hope it makes you smile too!

And a cute photo to finish with.

 If you have managed to book onto the Deer at Dawn or Deer at dusk walks, I hope you have a lovely time. Well worth getting up early for.

Thank you for reading my blog. Hope you enjoyed it. The October Garden is next as there are still so many beautiful flowers about.

For other events at Charlecote Park. follow this link....
 https://www.facebook.com/CharlecoteNT/events?key=events

                                                         Copyright Jana Eastwood