Boxing hares

Winter photography

February is the month par excellence for hare photography, since hare mating season is at its peak around then. Especially on cold mornings, when it has frozen and/or snowed, these animals are active. You will see them chasing each other or fighting aggressively. It is usually not males that are fighting, but a male and a female. The female can be quite off-putting if she is not ready to mate yet, or if she wants to test a male's determination. A special and interesting spectacle.

It is for this reason that we can often be found in the polder on a cold February morning. Before sunrise we find a spot near a meadow, roll out our insulation mats, and lie down. Since it is still a bit dark, the hares do not see us coming and chances of them coming our way around sunrise, are much bigger. Then the cold wait starts. 

In the snow

In February 2021 snow had fallen during our spring break. What a fantastic opportunity! Greg spent hours in the cold and snow. However, his patience was rewarded. Because of the falling snow, the hares did not see him and went about their business as usual. They chased each other and when they had caught another hare, they’d start pounding. What strong blows they can give with their paws, and what horrible injuries are made using their sharp claws. As the hares in the snow came closer and closer Greg lay chilled, waiting in the snow, the lens slowly turning white. The cold penetrated his clothing, but the adrenaline kept him warm. It wasn't until the hares were far away again, that he realized he looked more like a snowman than a human and decided to head back home.

Icy morning

This year (2023) there was no snow during spring break, but we had some beautiful, frosty mornings. The frost on the grass and the clear blue sky blended together seamlessly and created a special winter atmosphere. We decided to lie down again and wait. And yes, after a long wait, the hares came quite close several times. They chased each other at full speed, not paying attention to their surroundings. They had approached us to within a few meters before they realized that there were two very strange lumps on the frozen grass. For a moment they stood still and took a good look at us. Suddenly they darted off, but we had the pictures we were hoping for.

So, if you dare to brave the cold, this is definitely worth it. Be careful, treat these animals with respect by not showing yourself and waiting patiently. Your patience and braving the cold will definitely be rewarded.

Take that!

The chase

What are those strange lumps over there?