Our weekend of hosting continued so not much time for 365 - however, we did get this other visitor in the garden today. He was about 2" (50mm) in length not counting the mandibles, and looked quite fearsome - although he did pose very gracefully for me whilst I was fiddling about with macro lens converters and the like! If you have the time, do view large on black (click on the photo), I think it's worth it.
I had to look him up, and it would seem this is Lucanus cervus, a common stag beetle. I hadn't realised there are over a thousand species of stag beetle, many of which are threatened or endangered. The massive jaws look fearsome but apparently pose no threat to humans, being used mainly to fight other stag beetles.
Many thanks for all your recent comments, all are very much appreciated.
Yes that is a stag beetle. What an amazing photo! It looks as if he's in a stand off with you! Though I assume you aren't another stag beetle so it's more likely he was just stunned by your photographic acrobatics
PS you'll enjoy the train connection on mine today methinks!
Ian
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