It may have been a waltz… or possibly the paso ‘doe’-ble.
Either way, these two male deer looked as if they were practising for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing.
The fallow deer reared up on their hind legs and began play-fighting as they grazed with four others in Hampshire’s New Forest.
And as they sparred, the pair almost seemed to be dancing.
These two male fallow deer on their hind legs looked as if they were practising for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing
The bucks began play-fighting as they grazed today with four other deer in Hampshire’s New Forest national park
The unusual scene was captured by amateur photographer Ray Whitfield, 57, on a grassy plain at Stoney Cross, the site of a former RAF base used in the Second World War
Mr Whitfield, of nearby Eastleigh, Hampshire, reckoned that the pair were engaging in a display of male dominance
The unusual scene was captured by amateur photographer Ray Whitfield, 57, on a grassy plain at Stoney Cross, the site of a former RAF base used in the Second World War.
Mr Whitfield, of nearby Eastleigh, Hampshire, didn’t spot what started the commotion but thought it looked like they were either dancing or boxing.
He said: ‘I have visited the area a few times in recent weeks looking for deer to photograph but I never expected to see this.
‘The whole episode probably lasted less than five seconds, then the two deer broke apart and went on grazing like nothing had ever happened,’ said Mr Whitfield
‘I was standing in the open only about 15 metres away.
‘There was a group of about six deer just wandering around and grazing. I didn’t see what triggered the fight but suddenly two deer leapt up.
‘The whole episode probably lasted less than five seconds, then the two deer broke apart and went on grazing like nothing had ever happened.
‘I think it might have been that each was trying to show male dominance. I was surprised but also very happy that I managed to get the photos.’