Nature put on an unforgettable display across Britain on Thursday, with photographers capturing two spectacular natural phenomena that left viewers in awe.
The Monarch of Richmond Park
In London's iconic Richmond Park, a magnificent red deer stag claimed his territory with a powerful bellow that echoed through the autumn air. The dramatic photograph shows the majestic creature during the annual rutting season, his impressive antlers silhouetted against the landscape as he announces his dominance to rivals and potential mates alike.
Celestial Dance in the Night Sky
Meanwhile, nightfall brought a different kind of magic as the Aurora Borealis painted the heavens with ethereal green hues. The Northern Lights, typically reserved for more northern latitudes, made a stunning appearance across parts of the UK, treating skygazers to a rare celestial performance that transformed the darkness into a moving canvas of light.
These extraordinary images form part of The Guardian's regular Photos of the Day series, which curates the most compelling visual stories from around the globe. Thursday's selection particularly highlighted the raw beauty and power of the natural world, from ground-level wildlife dramas to cosmic light shows overhead.
The combination of terrestrial and celestial wonders serves as a powerful reminder of nature's ability to captivate and inspire, even in our modern world. Both phenomena occur with seasonal regularity yet never fail to generate excitement and wonder when captured through the lens of talented photographers.
