The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Monarch of the moon is eye-catcher
Majestic stag in silhouette
This stunning image shows the silhouette of a majestic stag in front of a rising moon on the Queen's Scottish estate.
Amateur photographer Andy Leonard, 59, captured the scene during an outing with the local RSPB beside Loch Muick on the Balmoral estate.
The Ellon resident said the deer was overlooking the valley for five minutes and roaring before he charged another male.
Mr Leonard said: “I was out with the local RSPB group and we went up to Loch Muick looking for grouse and eagles.
“Wewere also looking for red deer. We were expecting to see them in the valley but there were virtually none.
“Near the end of the day wewalkedtowardsthe loch and we could see the moon rising above the hillside.
“Somebody spotted the deer and a few females. I ran up the side valley so I could get the deer in the right position in front of the moon.
“Ijumpedoverawalland used a block of granite to rest my camera and take a series of photographs.
“It was very majestic. I guess the deer was just standing there for a few minutes, which gave me a chance to get this photograph.
“Hewas about half amile awayandmayhave seenus. The deer was roaring across the valley to another stag on the other side.”