Stag Beetle

This chappy wasn't the liveliest of creatures. I was on my way back from the shops when I saw him on a plant stem. I rushed home grabbed the camera and went back only to find that he appeared to have gone from that area (stung myself finding out). As I started back I saw him in the grass. Considering how much the grass would have got on his way and how unreactive he was I wonder if he was moved by someone after I left. It was very difficult to keep the camera still enough as I don't have anything to help steady it other than my leg :) ...and it was threatening to rain... you can just see a drop on the beetle.

I haven't seen one of these since I was a kid. What I didn't realise was that they spend about 3 years as a grub eating dead wood, hatchout in May/ June and die by August having mated. What a life !

Wonderful photos Louise, always loved the Stag Beetle, and so rarely seen these days.

Fantastic captures. Well done.:)