Bare Hoof Boxing

Theres very few things that annoy me more than getting up at 4.15 am to go to the park, arriving there and there is absolutely nothing going on. Grey sky with no hint of colour at sunrise, freezing cold and only a few irritable ducks scooting about in the gloom. I bumped into SueL7 and grumbled to her and headed off resigned to trying to get an half an hours sleep before I had to get the kids up for school.
I arrived in another section of the park to a scene of great excitement. A stag had just that second shed an antler, blood was a flowing and the confused creature was waving its head about confused by the odd balance. This caused another large stag to take offence and they reared up and launched into a vicious boxing match.
They are extraordinary standing upright and balance quite well, strutting about slashing at each other with razor sharp hooves, towering 7-8 feet tall.
I got many images before they gave up the battle
Here and packed up the bloody antler and headed home.
View large to see flying fur.

NB At this time of year the stags shed their antlers and regrowth starts immediately, with the new velvet buds growing up to an inch a day. These buds are very sensitive so disputes are resolved with standup boxing matches.