Killarney-based photographer Goran Lončar has finally achieved a long-held ambition by capturing a series of incredible images of deer silhouetted against a full moon in Knockreer.

The photographs, which feature the deer positioned perfectly at the crest of the hill, were the result of four years of patience and repeated attempts.

The breakthrough came on the night of Wednesday, 1st April, during the rise of the “Full Pink Moon.”

“I want to share something really special I managed to capture last Wednesday at Knockreer in Killarney National Park!” Goran said. “After four years of trying to capture this exact moment, I finally get luck on my side!”

The challenge for such photography lies in the precise alignment of the moon, the weather, and the unpredictable behaviour of the wildlife. Lončar set up his equipment in the fields near the Knockreer loop walk, an area known for its deer population, but success was never guaranteed.

“This type of photography is quite challenging, as there are many variables involved, such as where the moon will rise and how bright it will be by the time it reaches a certain height above the hill,” Goran explained. “The weather looked promising, so I decided to try again maybe finally capture a deer or stag with a full moon behind it.”

Unlike many modern images that rely on digital alteration, Lončar emphasized that these shots are the result of raw timing and natural conditions. “It’s an extremely rare and natural shot, completely real with no AI or Photoshop manipulation involved,” he said. “For me, this is something special as a photographer. We were lucky to have clear skies last Wednesday with beautiful setting! And finally, after countless try’s deer’s cooperated!”

A critical factor in the success of the shoot was the state of the animals themselves at approximately 9:30 PM.

“The key factor was the position of the deer. I didn’t want them in the middle of the hill. They needed to be right at the top, out of the tree line, and calm. If they are moving to much or agitated, it’s not possible to get this kind of shot.”

The resulting images provide a unique, ethereal perspective on Killarney’s famous red deer, standing at the summit of the park’s rolling hills under the bright lunar glow.

A Killarney resident has hit out at the local Municipal District following the mowing of roadside margins which were “teeming” with wildflowers.

Local man Niall Keogh contacted the Killarney Advertiser to express his frustration after council workers cleared green areas around the town earlier this week.

He argued that the timing of the work is devastating for the local bee population, particularly as dandelions serve as a vital early-season food source.

“These green areas were teeming with golden dandelions for the last week or so and now they’ve been decapitated,” Mr Keogh stated. “It’s obvious the powers that be have no understanding of the massive importance of the pollen and nectar-rich dandelions for our beleaguered pollinators.”

Mr Keogh pointed out that despite the Government declaring a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency in 2019, and the appointment of dedicated Biodiversity Officers, the practice of close-cropping roadside verges continues.

He noted that the recent cold and wet spring has made it even harder for bumblebees emerging from hibernation to find enough energy to survive.
“I wonder if this decision was taken in consultation with the Council’s Biodiversity Officer,” he added, highlighting a perceived disconnect between official environmental policy and the physical maintenance of the town’s green spaces.
The complaint comes at a time when the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has urged local authorities to “No Mow Until Late May” to allow native wildflowers to bloom and support declining insect species.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Do you agree with Mr Keogh? Should Killarney Municipal District leave the roadside margins to grow for the sake of biodiversity, or do you prefer the town to have a tidy, mown appearance?
Let us know your thoughts: info@killarneyadvertiser.ie