Not too hot for deer

In this unseasonably hot weather I didn't expect to find much on the common this morning, but there was a jay around, presumably busily gathering acorns for its winter cache. It posed prominently enough for a long-distance snap, which does at least show off its beautiful blue wing bars.

A few yards further on I spotted a Chinese Water deer in amongst the short reeds in the area best known for its orchids and cotton grass. Fortunately the orchid flowers are long past for the season, so the deer wasn't eating those.It was clearly aware of me, and was frozen still. After a while it realised it had to get away, so slowly slunk off. In no time it had disappeared, but not before I'd got a few pictures, showing its diagnostic kangaroo-like ears.