Monday, June 11, 2007

Still Life with a Stag Beetle


Time again for these prehistoric looking beasts to take to the wing in search of love after having spent several years as a grub underground. I see few enough of them that it still gives me a thrill. I saw the first one of '07 last week and encountered a female on the road while cycling home last night. Looking like a helicopter transporting a freight car, the males don't so much fly as wobble through the air, navigating olfactorily towards a female up to a mile away. Maria Fremlin has posted some great photographs here of stag night shenanigans. Do have a look.
And if you see one the people at 'The Great Stag Hunt' would like to know.

No comments: