Stag Party

I see the females around quite regularly, but this is the first male stag beetle I have seen in the garden for some time.  He was aggressive.  I nearly got nipped when he fell onto his back and I tried to help him over.  His feet have tiny claws that were fast in grabbing my fingers and his ‘jaws’ almost clamped onto my finger.  Once over, he stood on his rear legs and tail with the giant weapon pointing directly at me.  I took the picture and let him go.  He didn’t say thankyou; I’m glad he just wanted to leave.  Wouldn’t be a happy neighbour!