Tip-toe through the Buttercups

Roe Deer – Deerleap, From Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8046

Deerleap is a lane that heads up the sunny southern side of the Mendip Hills.  Starting out from the caves at Wookey Hole, near Wells, it is part of the national cycle network.  But you need supreme fitness to make it to the top without a break.

Half-way up is the Ebbor Gorge car park if you fancy an easier approach.  At the top is the popular picnic site as seen in film Hot Fuzz.

Deerleap Standing Stones – Nr Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4291

Up the hill the fields are currently bright yellow with buttercups. In the middle of these flowers are a pair of standing stones.  Apparently, the distance between them is as far as a deer can jump.  I’m guessing after a down hill run-up rather than up the hill.

Roe Deer – Deerleap, From Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8219

I’m not sure how accurate this story is, but there are plenty of deer about so maybe one of them gave it a go when no one was watching.

Roe Deer – Deerleap, From Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8316

This little deer came in really close.  I was hiding behind a dry-stone wall on the eastern edge of Lynchcombe nature reserve.  I had been out counting butterflies for the reserve records.

You can imagine how lucky and exciting this was.

Roe Deer – Deerleap, From Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8301

The Runner

I tried to be silent while taking these pictures.  Occasionally, a twig would crack and the deer would stare straight at me.  Freezing as quick as possible it never realised I was there.

After a few minutes a jogger ran into the field next to the deer, they called out to say hello to me and the deer disappeared.  How can a runner exhausted from the long climb see me so easily but a deer could not?

Deerleap – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0788