Mountain Hare and Rabbit

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 6, 2011167 views10 comments

I was photographing mountain hares on the Lammermuir Hills again and I spotted this one sitting in a hollow in the snow as I watched I noticed a rabbit on is burrow next to the hare. The rabbit was trying to get out but every time he tried , the hare would smack across the head forcing him back into the hole. I was there for over two hours and the poor rabbit never got out during that time.

I don't think I've seen a hare and a rabbit together before.

Canon 7D Canon 500mm f lens, f7.1, 1/640sec, ISO 400

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on January 6, 2011 at 1:00 AM

Very interesting, Ron. I think the juxtaposition in species and poses in wonderful, and the snow obviously makes for a nice background. Hope you got some video of said smacking!

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 6, 2011 at 1:08 AM

Interesting behavior!
Excellent shot, even without knowing the dynamics. Fine fur detail, nice position of the hare/rabbit, anfd very pleasing overall!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 6, 2011 at 2:22 AM

What a bizarre story; fascinating! I love the clean white snowy environment, and the two 'bunnies' together is really intriguing.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 6, 2011 at 3:26 AM

Sweet Photo Ron

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 6, 2011 at 8:51 AM

Your time was well spent! This is a beautiful capture of both individuals. All techs look spot on to my eye. Congrats.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on January 6, 2011 at 9:34 AM

Wow, this is great!! Before reading the story behind it, I kept looking at the photo trying to figure out what in the world was going on. Was the hare going to try to use the rabbit's hole? Was he there for tea?

Very intriguing picture, because it really makes you wonder what they think about each other. And what a strange story of their interaction. Great interaction shot, love the comp and the light in the hare's eye.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 6, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Hi Ron,

Hmmm...funny commentary (conjuring up a hare smacking a rabbit brings a smile to my face) and really interesting shot, especially behaviourally. Always tough to truly understand what's going on in a single observed interaction like this from a causation perspective (competition for burrows? some form of food competition, hare got up on the wrong side of the bed?) but fascinating none-the-less!

Cheers...thanks for sharing this very unique shot!! (and well done on it by the way - techs look solid and the image inherently suggests a story).

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 6, 2011 at 11:41 AM

Interesting image. I wonder why the hare was so intent on keeping the rabbit in the hole. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on January 9, 2011 at 11:03 AM

Like the inclusion of both hares and the snow helps make a nice clean image.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 9, 2011 at 9:43 PM

VERY cool, no pun intended. Technically and esthetically well done. I had no idea hares/rabbits burrowed in snow like this - guess I don't know everything after all, huh.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments