Wildlife Photographic Journals

Summer Hares

Many people would associate the hare with a symbol of Spring but I have found it can be very productive photographing them in the summer. At least it is at the site I usually visit. However, this is not the case for many areas well hares dwell as they are lost from view within agricultural crops. I usually undertake my summer hare photography during August when many birds are going through a moult and not really looking at their best and there is a good chance of encountering a leveret or two. However, this set were taken during a couple of visits in June.

Most of my hare photography is done as a short pre-work session and so an early alarm clock and an hour or so with the camera before heading off to the office. Always a good way to start the day.

As hares tend to be most active at the beginning and end of the day, these short session can be very productive.

On some occasions they can get a bit too close.

At other times you can just get them in frame. A hare running towards you takes constant refocusing as it can play havoc with camera autofocus.

Some days I may make a visit to the hares on the way home from work if it is a sunny evening. On these occasions the hares are generally much more relaxed and preoccupied with feeding and grooming.

What better way to unwind from everyday work pressures than in the company of these wonderful animals.