Stunning photos of Spain's bullfighters

Spanish bullfighter Julian Lopez 'El Juli' aims his sword before killing a bull during the first bullfight of the season, March 2, 2013. Bullfighting is an ancient tradition in Spain and the season runs from March to October.

All photos taken in the town of Olivenza in southwestern Spain

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla performs with a bull, March 2, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Jose Maria Manzanares performs during a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

A Spanish bullfighter assistant touches an image depicting Jesus on his way to make the traditional entrance to the arena before the first bullfight of the season, March 2, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Miguel Angel Perera aims his sword before killing a bull, March 2, 2013.

Spanish bullfighters and assistants wait to make the 'paseillo' or traditional entrance to the arena before a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Spain, March 3, 2013.

People watch as a dead bull is placed in a truck after a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Miguel Angel Silva reacts during a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla performs with a bull, March 2, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla aims his sword before killing a bull, March 2, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Miguel Angel Silva aims his sword before killing a bull, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighters Julian Lopez 'El Juli' and Miguel Angel Perera, right, leave the bullring on the shoulders of assistants, an honor bestowed only after great performances, at the end of the first bullfight of the season in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Spain, March 2, 2013.

'Picadores' warm up before performing in the arena during a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighters assistants adjust their 'monteras' or bullfighter's hat before the traditional entrance to the arena for the first bullfight of the season in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Spain, March 2, 2013.

A bull bleeds during the first bullfight of the season, March 2, 2013.

Used tickets lie on the ground of the bullring after a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter assistants wait to make the traditional entrance to the arena, March 2, 2013.

People attend a bullfight in the southwestern Spanish town of Olivenza, Spain, March 2, 2013.

A Spanish bullfighter assistant, left, prays while others wait to make the 'paseillo' or traditional entrance to the arena before a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla adjust his 'montera' of bullfighter's hat, March 2, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla adjusts his bullfighters hat or 'montera' before a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Lama de Gongora waits to make the 'paseillo' or traditional entrance to the arena before a bullfight, March 3, 2013.

Spanish bullfighter Julian Lopez 'El Juli' aims his sword before killing a bull, March 2, 2013.