Killarney – In Photos dot Org

A Stag and his hinds

I visited the National Park in Killarney, Co Kerry, today to photograph the deer with other members of Blarney Photography Club, and a few friends.

A stag looks on at a horse and trap full of tourists in the background

There weren’t many stags or deer to be seen, apart from in a field up a hill beyond the Castlerosse Park Resort golf course. We found this stag near the Torc Waterfall side of Muckross House. No other stags nearby, they were all calm and relaxed. I think the stag was slightly worried about the silly humans pointing long lenses at him from some 300m away. He needn’t have worried.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	600mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/1000s

The Deer of the Rut

A stag looks towards me. One of his eyes is weeping and injured. He has grass in his antlers.

A few photos of the deer in Killarney National Park a year ago when I visited there with Blarney Photography Club. These have been sitting in my “Unpublished” collection since then, so I might as well make them public.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	600mm
ISO	3200
Shutter speed	1/1000s

Castlerosse Park Resort Cottage

A small cottage surrounded by a neat lawn and hedges with trees in the background.

Situated at the edge of the woods behind the Castlerosse Park Resort golf course is this small cottage. We walked by it a few weeks ago when we were in the area to photograph the rutting.

There was a car parked directly outside, so it’s occupied, but it’s so solitary and in a secluded area, it was like finding a magic cottage in the wood.

Aperture	ƒ/1.7
Camera	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length	6.3mm
ISO	40
Shutter speed	1/100s

To be a stag in October

A stag with grass in his antlers look on at stags and other deer out of the picture

We went to Killarney National Park this morning to photograph the annual rutting. This is when stags come down from the mountain and look for romance and court any nearby female deer. And they’re quite vocal about it.

This particular guy was on one side of the tarmac path occupied by us human photographers, and it didn’t occur to us that he wanted to get to the other side, where a large group of younger stags and some does had gathered.

In frustration, he bellowed, pawed the ground, and ripped grass from the ground.

A stag walks across a tarmac path, previously occupied by this photographer. Other photographers are seen in the background.

When we finally realised what he wanted, we made a hasty exit to the side. We watched this huge, powerful creature walk over ground we recently vacated.

Unfortunately, the other deer, male and female, all ran from him. None stayed around to challenge him. If you look carefully, you’ll see his right eye is weeping and injured. He has lost the use of that eye, whether through infection or injury, but it hasn’t slowed him down.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	473.2mm
ISO	1600
Shutter speed	1/1000s

Abstract Forest in Motion

The slim trunks of trees in the forest near Torc Waterfall are blurred by intentional vertical camera movement.

While out with Blarney Photography Club in Killarney National Park recently, we came across a small forest of slender tree trunks stretching up towards the sky like spindly fingers. The light was just perfect for some intentional camera movement, so we decided to experiment with a vertical ICM technique.

I set my camera to a slow shutter speed, and then began moving it in a vertical motion as I pressed the shutter button. The result? A beautiful and abstract image that captures the essence of the forest in a unique and captivating way!

The slim tree trunks blend together in a mesmerizing blur of lines, creating a sense of movement and energy that’s almost hypnotic. It’s as though the trees themselves are swaying in a gentle breeze, their branches reaching out to dance with the sunlight.

ICM photography is all about embracing the beauty of imperfection, of letting go of the need for a perfectly sharp image and instead capturing the essence of a moment in a creative and artistic way. And in this forest, with its delicate and slender trees, I found the perfect canvas for my ICM experiment.

Aperture	ƒ/9
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/2.5s

The crow wants your dinner

A crow standing on a table. A half-eaten dinner and dessert are what it wants.

So, picture this: you’re sitting at a table, about to dive into your delicious dinner and dessert when suddenly, a crow appears out of nowhere and lands right on the table in front of you. And what does it want? Well, the half-eaten remnants of your scrumptious meal, of course!

A crow has no shame. It’s not content to settle for its own measly bird seed or whatever else it scavenged from the rubbish. No, it wants your food, and it wants it now.

And let me tell you, this crow is not messing around. It’s standing there on the table, staring you down with its beady little eyes, daring you to try to stop it from taking what it wants. You can practically hear it cawing, “This is my dinner now, human!”

So, what do you do? Do you give in to the demands of this brazen bird and hand over your hard-earned meal? Or do you stand your ground and protect your dinner and dessert at all costs? The choice is yours, my friends, but just remember: when it comes to crows, they always get the last caw.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	178mm
ISO	400
Shutter speed	1/125s

Skeletal Trees by the Pond

Bare trees, almost like skeletons, frame a scene containing, yellowed grass. A small pond in the middle distance and a mountain in the background catches the rays of a low sun. The sky is heavy with clouds promising rain.

As I walked back from shooting the sunrise at the Lakes of Killarney with members of Blarney Photography Club, I caught sight of something that made me pause. Off to the side of the path, there was a small pond surrounded by a stark scene. The bare trees looked almost skeletal in the early morning light, framing the yellowed grass and adding to the eerie atmosphere. In the middle distance, the pond was a reminder to step carefully as the ground was marshy. Off in the distance, a mountain basked in the warm glow of the rising sun. But the sky was heavy with clouds, and it seemed like the rain was on its way.

It was a beautiful scene, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of nature. Almost everywhere you look, there’s a photo to be made. The quiet stillness of the morning was only interrupted by the occasional chirping of birds and rustling of leaves. It was as if time stood still for just a moment, and I was lucky enough to witness it.

As a photographer, moments like these are a reminder of the power of capturing a single moment in time. The way the light falls just right, the way the colours blend and complement each other, and the way nature creates a canvas that is beyond our wildest imagination. I’m grateful for this moment and the opportunity to share it with others.

Aperture	ƒ/4.5
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/250s

The Old Weir Bridge in Killarney

A bridge over a small river next to the Lakes of Killarney. Mostly bare trees to be seen on both sides of the river, and the sky is heavy with clouds.

The Old Weir Bridge is a picturesque bridge over a small river near the Lakes of Killarney in Ireland. The bridge is an old stone structure with arched openings, and it looks particularly beautiful against the natural backdrop of the river and trees.

The trees on both sides of the river are mostly bare, which creates an interesting contrast against the dark and heavy clouds in the sky. It’s a moody and atmospheric scene, and the bridge adds a touch of history and charm to the landscape.

It’s a popular spot for photographers and visitors who want to take in the beauty of the area. I highly recommend taking a stroll by the river and checking out the Old Weir Bridge.

Aperture	ƒ/13
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	65mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/20s

A stag in the rain

A stag in the field opposite Muckross House in Killarney on a very wet October afternoon this year.

I was there with Blarney Photography Club and after a not so successful morning we retreated to the café in Muckross Garden Restaurant for lunch.

It was still raining afterwards, but some of us stopped outside to photograph this stag. In a lull in the rain I stupidly ran out with only a light jacket and took cover under a tree that was still heavy with leaves. Got a few shots and then the heavens opened. Got a bit soaked!

Totally worth it. Great day out with great people.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	600mm
ISO	2000
Shutter speed	1/1000s

The Hills of Killarney

In between heavy showers, the far away hills visible from Killarney National Park are lovely shades of grey.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	194.5mm
ISO	1600
Shutter speed	1/100s

Killarney Dipper

A Dipper we spotted in the Killarney recently. He stayed on that rock for a few minutes, letting us take photos of him at our leisure!

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	600mm
ISO	3200
Shutter speed	1/250s

The stag in the field

A stag and a few hind in a field in Killarney. Far off in another field.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	600mm
ISO	3200
Shutter speed	1/1000s