Seasons rise and fall, and with them, the life cycle of the various flora and fauna in London's beautiful parks.

The 'rut' — mating season for deer — runs through the Autumn months from September-November, and has brought with it a heightened sense of drama and spectacle to Richmond and Bushy Parks where most deer in the capital live.

The Richmond and Twickenham Times has collected some of the best images from the rut below.

They were most recently added to by Royal Parks, who manage both green spaces, by the image of a stag with a mass of foliage in its antlers.

Your Local Guardian: Image via Royal Parks / TwitterImage via Royal Parks / Twitter

Royal Parks, who are urging all visitors to stay at least 50 metres away from all deer during the Autumn season, said this behaviour was also to do with the rut:

"During the deer rut, stags will thrash about in the vegetation to make themselves look larger.

"You may also notice them tasting the air, this is to determine if the females are ready to mate," a spokesperson said.

"Remember to always stay 50 metres away," they added.

Your Local Guardian: Mating in progress. Image: photoSheikh.comMating in progress. Image: photoSheikh.com

From our story Visitors warned to keep distance from deer in Royal Parks : 

Your Local Guardian: Image: Steve FentonImage: Steve Fenton

From our story No more Fentons please, dog owners warned in Richmond Park :

Your Local Guardian: Image: Max EllisImage: Max Ellis

From our story Royal Park Police warns that park deer aren't "Bambi" :

Your Local Guardian: Image: Royal Parks Police / TwitterImage: Royal Parks Police / Twitter