Snowshoe Hare

I’m sure the first thought is, “Ahhhh so cute!” Well that was mine too, except there was one thing bugging me. It’s a Hare, they like grass but grass is boring, especially if it looks like a lawn. Well although this is not a lawn that’s what it reminds me of. Since this is a wild creature it needs to be in it’s natural habitat and it needs to look like that in the final image. Well how do you convey that?

Well here are too examples. The one up top is taken with a 600 f/4, TC-17e on a Gitzo Tripod. I was about 20 feet away shooting down at the critter. That already says a lot. It’s a small critter, maybe the size of a cantaloupe. What’s worse is it’s a dark object on a bright background, green reflects light pretty darn well. With critters you can’t alawys be picky about where you’re subject is. In fact there really isn’t any control in the matter. But by changing your relative position to the critter you can change the foreground and background.

In the bottom image, I did just that. Instead of looking down at the Snowshow Hare, I got level with it. I lowered the tripod legs so that none were extended and was literally kneeling on the grass looking over a slight ridge as they did there thing. By doing this not only did i put something between the two of us but I changed how much information was being picked up. The foreground just blew out because it was too close, and the background was too far away from the subject to have any information. It’s a really simple trick that can make a huge difference in how you present the critters story. It’s still a Spring Hare, it’s still in it’s natural environment and he’s still comfortable. Job’s Done.

In the Camera Bag:
Nikon D3, 600 f/4, TC-17e, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

For a long time now I have been working with planes. Photographing planes, writing about planes, and blogging about planes. I have truly enjoyed that time. One of the challenges that all photographers face is working in their backyard, and for me that backyard is the wilderness of Montana. This past weekend I went out for the first time in quite a while with the sole purpose of finding Spring critters. I didn’t find a great nest to work with but I did find some cuties.

This Showshoe Hare was up just as early as I was, probably more awake too. This is a spring kid or leveret as babies are called in the Hare family, and has long been weaned off of mom. Breeding usually starts end of December-January and go as long as August. Unlike rabbits, Hares are born with fur, eyes open and only nurse for about 25 to 28 days. Hares also change color with the Summer and Winter seasons. This guy has his Summer tan on. Well being a bit rusty I worked him kind of slowly. He knew I was there before I did, quite common but by slowly walking forward I was able to get closer. With the 600f/4 and TC-17e on the Tripod, I creeped up a few feat.

Then about five feet more, stopped, put the tripod down, and got a few clicks.

Then Again

And Again

Until finally I was at the point where I wanted to be. The whole time I was moving he was listening to my steps, but by watching his body behavior, especially his ears and eyes, I was able to get close without bothering him.

In fact he was so comfortable with me, that he fell asleep and he actually stayed that way for some time. It is always a good sign when they fall asleep. It means that they are okay with you being near them. Or it could just be that it was early on Saturday and he didn’t have his coffee yet. Never Know.

In the Camera Bag:
Nikon D3, 600 f/4, TC-17e II, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film