Hare we go
IT’S one of the most hardy Highland creatures and a rising star of our animal kingdom. The Scottish mountain hare may not have the same profile as the golden eagle or the red squirrel but it is increasingly becoming the subject of wildlife pictures.
It’s also the focus of The Secret Life of the Mountain Hare, a new book by acclaimed nature photographer Andy Howard.
The Black Isle-based snapper spent months tracking the shy animals in their natural habitat of the Cairngorms to help bring them into the spotlight.
Andy said: “I’d wanted to photograph them for many years as they had captivated me.
“The first time I went out in 2011, I managed to get reasonably close, which really encouraged me to get closer.
“They’re awesome creatures. There is something captivating about their eyes and the fact that they allow you into their little secret world – you can sit on the hillside for hours in awful weather just a few metres away from them, and you experience all the things they do.
“And ultimately, they’re very cute as well.”
Andy said as long as you are well prepared for the weather, it’s not too difficult to find mountain hares.
He added: “Cairngorms National Park is the best place. Head to ski resorts like Glenshee, Cairngorm or the Lecht and just scan the slopes overlooking the ski areas, and very often they will be sitting there watching the skiers.
“In the last five or six years, they have suddenly appeared on the radar, due in part to wildlife photographers taking amazing pictures of them that are spread on social media.
“They are a new kid on the block of iconic species of Scotland – but they are now established as one of those.
“I have people travelling from all over the world to photograph Scottish mountain hares.”
Andy hopes his book will help to encourage the authorities to protect the species.
Mountain hares tend to flourish on grouse moors. But they have ticks that carry blood-borne diseases which can be deadly to grouse – meaning estates often cull them to protect their flocks.
Andy said: “They are an indigenous species but they have no protection. We are hoping to persuade the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage to give them a bit of protection from over-zealous culling.
“Hopefully the book will help with that as it’s all about celebrating this amazing species.”
Andy Howard: The Secret Life of the Mountain Hare, by Sandstone Press, £24.99.
Photographer Andy is doing his bit to help a hardy but cute Highland creature hop into the limelight