The Rut

This was one of the most epic 'ruts' I saw in Richmond Park.  From the first encounter it lasted 20 minutes and the stags covered an enormous distance as they fought.  I normally use trees as cover etc for safety when photographing the deer.  On this occasion I though I was fine as there was plenty of distance between myself and the stags.  Suddenly they changed direction and were running flat out towards me jumping a ditch about 100m from me.  I think this shot is more luck than anything else and I was certainly a bit shaken afterwards.  

The loser of this epic battle was eventually chased off, but not before losing an eye.