While walking on a sunny day towards Old John Tower in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, Lesley Hextall spotted a hole in the wall around a copse, became curious and peered through, to be confronted by an equally curious fallow deer looking directly back.
She captured this enchanting moment before the deer bounded away, and that animated stillness has entranced our readers too, who have voted it Reader Photograph of the Year.
Our art editor Tim Bates comments: “This is a fantastic shot – beautiful light and a lovely composition capturing the deer at the just the right moment to create a magical image.”
Runner up: Harold Park in Winter by David Zdanowicz
Dave comments: "The photo was taken in Harold Park in Low Moor Bradford. It was taken in January 2015 and snow had fallen the night before and frozen part of the pond. I took the shot on a long exposure to create some drama in the clouds. Its one of my favourite spots to photograph as I grew up near the park."