Stag Beetle

Although these are quite rare, we are lucky here that South East London is a stronghold for them so we get to see them on balmy may or June evenings bumbling about in the sky looking for their mate.  I garden with them in mind, making sure there is lots of suitable habitat for them  here. Although they live a long time before gaining their wings, they live only a few days as airborne creatures, and I am lucky enough to own a dead one in my cabinet of curiosities. I will definitely be painting this one again. Vintage frame.