Red deer in the summer with the antlers still in velvet. The velvet is a layer of skin around the growing antlers. Deer lose their antlers every year, after which a new (larger) antler grows back. When the antlers are fully grown, the bark skin dies and it starts to itch. The deer will then rubs tree trunks with the antlers to get rid of the itchy skin. As a result, it rubs the bark of the trees (causing damage). Because of the released tree sap and dirt the antlers get their dark brown color.
Maarten van der Belt, born and raised in Geertruidenberg. A small town in the south of the Netherlands, literally in the shadow of powerplant the ?Amercentrale? and near national park ?De Biesbosch?. As son of a small game hunter I was brought up with all the.. Read more…