A Hare on the Hill

The road in highest parts of Upper Coquetdale is very narrow, sometimes barely a car-width, and in places where the valley side is at its steepest, the road seems to look for the best contour and cling on by its finger tips. Occasionally, on the sharpest bends, there is an old post and rail fence on the down-side edge of the road. These are a blessing to passing itchy sheep but I doubt they would stop an errant motorist from crashing over the edge and down into the river.

It was on just such a bend last week that I came upon a carefree Brown Hare sitting in the middle of the road. The hare sat perfectly still, seemingly unstartled by my arrival. I reached for my camera and it was only when I lifted it to my eye that the hare reacted. Two quick steps took it across the road and up onto the grassy valley side. I thought I'd seen the last of it, but no. As I drove slowly forward, I saw that it was just above me in the grass, ears erect, eyes alert, crouched and ready to spring off in a flash.

Watching hares is always rewarding but this was a rather special encounter.

Brown Hare (Lepus capensis)