A stag and his feathered ‘grooms’-men! A pair of jackdaws are seen grooming the fur of a red deer stag in a display of symbiosis at its finest. The animals were photographed in Richmond Park, London. Lawrence Chatton said, “These animals share a special symbiotic bond. The jackdaws feed on parasites like mites, ticks, and fleas, benefiting from a consistent food source while helping the deer stay healthier.” “Additionally, during moulting season, jackdaws collect the deer’s loose fur for their nests, further strengthening this mutually beneficial bond.” Please byline: Lawrence Chatton/Solent News © Lawrence Chatton/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 *** Local Caption *** When and where were these shots taken? These pictures were taken in early November in Richmond Park, London. Are deer and jackdaws commonly seen together here? Yes, it’s quite common to see deer and jackdaws together in Richmond Park. They share a symbiotic relationship: the jackdaws feed on parasites like mites, ticks, and fleas from the deer, benefiting from a consistent food source while helping the deer stay healthier. In spring, the jackdaws often collect fur shed by moulting red deer, which they use as nesting material. Can you describe what is happening in these images? What benefits do each of these animals gain in this relationship? The images capture this symbiotic relationship in action. The jackdaws are perched on the deer, grooming them by eating parasites. This helps the deer stay healthy and comfortable, while the jackdaws benefit from a steady food supply. Additionally, during moulting season, jackdaws collect the deer’s loose fur for their nests, further strengthening this mutually beneficial bond. How were you able to capture these images? To avoid disturbing the wildlife and to document their natural behaviour, I work from a very long distance. I use a 600mm lens for my photography, then crop the images significantly to achieve a final perspective equivalent to a 1200mm lens. This approach ensures the animals remain undisturbed while I capture detailed shots. Is there any more information you would like us to include? I have documented this symbiotic relationship in the past, and my work attracted the attention of researchers at Northeast Normal University in Jilin Province, China. This led to an invitation to co-author an article on this fascinating phenomenon. And finally, what is your preferred full name, age, and occupation? Lawrence Chatton, teacher, 46.