Adorable moment as real-life Bambi skates across a frozen stream in scenes reminiscent of the Disney classic
The adorable moment of a deer skating across a frozen stream was captured on camera in scenes straight out of Bambi.
Wildlife photographer Tony Marshall, 52, captured the moment on camera while visiting the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in sub-zero temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius.
The female muntjac deer can be seen trotting into view from the bushes near the water before she decides to take a skate on the ice.
What she lacks in grace, she makes up for in determination, as despite losing her balance several times, she makes it across the ice in one piece – without any help from Thumper.
Mr Marshall braved subzero conditions to film the real-life Bambi moment at the East Midlands beauty spot last week.
The female muntjac deer can be seen trotting into view from the bushes near the water before she decides to take a skate on the ice. Despite the deer's small size, it is not a baby deer. Muntjac deer are a small species of deer, with females weighing only 16 kg
What she lacks in grace, she makes up for in determination! Despite losing her balance several times, she makes it across the ice in one piece
Tony Marshall, 52, captured the adorable images while visiting the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in sub-zero temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius
Mr Marshall, a handyman and former RAF engineer from Oakham, said he was in the right place 'at the right time'.
He said: 'I visit Rutland regularly, it's a very big site and you never know what you're going to see there.
“I went down at first light around 8am. At the beginning of last week it was around -5 degrees. I wondered why I went out under those conditions, but this made it worth it.
'You see otters and deer there and I saw this female Muntjac deer trotting into open view.
'Then she started chasing her dangerously across the ice, Bambi-style, and made it to the other side safely.
'It was about -5 degrees Celsius and this poor thing stood in the cold and survived.
'I was determined to cross this stream and I was relieved when I saw her crossing.
“I was in the right place at exactly the right time.”
Despite the deer's small size, it is not a baby deer. Muntjac deer are a small species of deer, with females weighing only 16 kg and their hoof prints are only 2.5 cm long.
The species was brought over from China in the early 20th century and is now widespread in England. With their population only increasing, the small deer has been considered an invasive species as of 2019