Photographer has ‘mythic-like’ encounter with rare albino deer

Johnston, 42, said he had taken up wildlife photography about four years ago and had since captured many pictures of deer.

However, it was only during the short period of rutting season that he had spotted the rare white hart deer, he added – believing them to be leucistic.

He said: “I’m out most weekends, especially when the stags come out of hiding.

“I saw this one last year but it’s bigger now, with more spikes on its antlers.”

Describing the stags as “elusive” and “really impressive”, he said getting close to them was a “challenge” while having captured the image was a “good feeling”.

“Not many people get to see them,” he added.

“The day before we spotted it but it got a whiff of our scent and ran off.

“The next day he was dozing in a field so we managing to get fairly close.”

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