Haring into Summer

We're well past "Mad March Hare" time, but the hares in the Ribble Valley are still very active. They might be a bit trickier to see because the grass has suddenly become long, green, and lush, but they seem very happy to run around and feed.

There Hare, Here Deer

This is a continuation of the previous post

As I was standing taking photos of the hares, stood stock still, I noticed some figures in the nearby woods - roe deer! After some milling around in the woods, I was amazed to see them jump a fence and come towards me! The female finally twigged that I was there (as you can see from the first photo), and then ran across the field with the male in leisurely pursuit. (I don't think he'd seen me, so was less of a mood to race).

Spring emerges from out of the grey gloom

After a couple of gloomy, grey weeks where every effort to venture outside seemed to be met with camera-ruining drizzle, the sun finally shone and I was able to get out and feel the emergence of Spring, though Jo was unfortunately chained to her desk.

We're aware of where our local hares spend their day, so I managed to get pretty close to them before they hopped into the next field and out of sight. Usually the first sign of a hare is its rapidly disappearing backside!

Also spotted were three buzzards, a cormorant, some randy geese, the odd lapwing, and a few curlews. The colourful red fungus in the final photos is scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea) which is making an appearance in quite a few woods at the moment.

Deep in Hare Country

Went looking for hares since so far we've not had fab success in photographing them. Ended up deep in hare country and couldn't move for them. Pictures say more here I think....

....Added a few more. We're bogged down suddenly with hare photos!

Hare today...

Up early and it was a stunning day o we thought we'd head over to Leighton Moss via the moors. We had a cracking opp to catch two hares running along the road. Unfortunately our car windows are bust and Pants valiantly attempted to shot them (with a lens you understand) through the windscreen but the results were disappointing. We leapt out living doors open etc... (starsky and hutch style wildlife watching) managed a couple of shots though the hares were hiding in the grass (they are so well camoflaged in there)

Got to Leighton Moss and it was almost warm in the sun, no wind and fab lighting. Sadly nothing much was happening though we had some great opportunities to photograph a rather grumpy heron. Really good day out though.

Hope you enjoy these pictures... sure Pants will post some of his best too soon.