Wildlife Photographic Journals

Good Hare Days

It would be difficult to let the month of March pass-by without a post dedicated to brown hares. They are a symbolic with the start of spring. As you may already know I have a strong passion for photographing these wonderful and apparently 'eccentric' animals. The more time I spend with them, particularly at close quarters, the greater the fascination becomes. I have over the past three years accumulated a large library of hare photos but those wild staring orange eyes always draw me back for more. For those of you who have not experienced hares and think they are just a 'rabbit' then I urge you to take some time to find some in your local countryside and your opinion will soon be swayed. If you sit quietly and still you may be surprised on occasions how close they will approach which is always a special moment. My closest encounter was having one sniffing my boot!

I have spent some time recently taking some hare photos for this post. An early start is essential for the hare photographer. They can on occasions apear quiet at first light, as if waiting for the day to warm a little.

You can see by the dilated pupils that this photo was taken in low light before the sun headed up over the horizon.

The rising sun seems to stir them into action but the activity can be quite short-lived before they appear to vanish once more in to the landscape. This is a hare back-lit with the first sun of the day.

A brown hare looking as if it has been up to mischief turned orange but the early morning light.

Running around in the road which fortunately has very little traffic as it would be very sad to one as road kill.

On you marks...get set...

and go... a hare at full speed is a good test for both camera and photographer.

One more in 'flight' to finish the post.

If the weather is kind this weekend, set your alarm clock for unreasonably early, head forth in to the countryside and hopefully you will have a good hare day.