Good Hare Day - Cambridgeshire, Summer 2008.

Brown hare, Lepus europaeus. You very rarely see two hares together (outside of 'boxing' season of course)... and you certainly very rarely see them coming towards you, at ease and without a care. Perhaps it was because I was downwind... but it doesn't mattter. It's the best views I've ever had of this commonly seen, yet quick-to-run-away animal!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• wildlife
• rabbit
• mammal
• European
• Brown
• Hare
• lepus
• europaeus
• encounter
• ears
• friendly
• confident
• herbivorous
• herbivore
• Cambridgeshire
• countryside
• summer
• gravel

[cristina75315]

kkkk

[zeeox]

@cristina75315 - is that the political wing of the Ku Klux Klan or something?

[yuup83]

the hare is a great animal,agile and knows its land better than its prey,thats why i love to course them from oct-feb(now finished).and before everyone starts getting on my case i love to see the hare get away thats why i only let 1 dog at a time on them if he's better than my dog im glad i get the run if not then its in the pot!

[zeeox]

@yuup83 - well, it's your right to say, and do, that of course - Ireland still differs from the UK when it comes to coursing. But for me; I take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill only time.

[ernie8314]

look better with a dog behind them

[zeeox]

@jakobe23ful - exactly what I was thinking. Er...

[zeeox]

@zeeox - suffice to say though, since 2005, hare coursing has been illegal throughout the UK... so any 'hunting' has to be done in a 'humane' fashion, using a gun. Hunting for sport is a hangover of the ancient rights of the aristocracy in this country and I have no time for it. Similarly, the principle of the 'fair chase' in hunter-conservationists in the US I find equally abhorrent. All wildlife has to be 'managed' in little old UK it's true - but surely without pomp and frivolity? Cheers.

[zeeox]

@ilganis - hello there ilganis. A good question: Brown Hares are not legally protected in the UK as they are also classified as game animals. It's more to do about what land they are found on and the rights and permissions of the landowner. I would love them to be protected as shooting is unregulated and their numbers have been reduced dramatically since the 19thC. They do not do the damage that rabbits can (potentially) do and really enhance the countryside through their presence in my opinion.

[ilganis]

arent they hunted?

[zeeox]

@99fruitbat - thanks for your comment, and for liking the video! Yes, there's definitely a feeling you get that are looking at a more ancient 'scene' when you encounter one, even if they running across a modern, 'mono-crop' field! I like their nomadic style, never making warrens and always on the move! One month to go before Mad March!

[zeeox]

@hudson13h - wot a shame ver wernt anee a-rand 4u then. Or words to that effect.

[hudson13h]

dog shud ov ad em