Mountain Hare

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 12, 2009277 views14 comments

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/1600s, f4, iso 400

I went out for a day with a guide stalking mountain hare, having never seen one before. I spent nearly as much time laughing as I did taking shots. It was blowing a gale, and the hares were all hunkering down behind rocks or in snow hollows. I certainly saw a few white bums disappearing over the horizon. I think this image sums up my day, which I will remember for a long time!
Credits: www.neilmcintyre.com

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 12, 2009 at 12:03 PM

I really get a good sense of the sparse environment. I like the colors a lot. The hare is just a little soft, maybe a little bit more sharpening could be applied. Nice composition Ian. Working in a gale with a 600 and lens hood the size of a 5 gallon pale is lots of fun isn't it!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 12, 2009 at 2:01 PM

Ian, this is very very Cool

IMO one of the better hare mages I have ever seen. The minimalistic approach, the placement of the subject and the white subject on that dark background makes for a great image. The only thing IMO that would have improved this further would be a better running pose, preferably with the legs stretched out front and back.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 12, 2009 at 2:37 PM

That little white hare stands out well against the dark background. I love the low perspective.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on December 12, 2009 at 3:04 PM

Love how the hare stands out against the dark background. Like the space surrounding the hare as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Carl Donohue on December 12, 2009 at 5:36 PM

Hey Ian,

I think this is awesome - and I love the running pose, I actually think it works better in this comp than a stretched out pose might - it gives everything a bigger sense of space.

Very cool.

Cheers

Carl

Registered on November 1, 2003, 46 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Ron McCombe on December 12, 2009 at 6:02 PM

HI Ian

I love the sense of space here, the hare is a little soft but that doesn't bother me, I like the whole concept and colours. I think the hare is in exactly the right position

Registered on November 16, 2009, 190 Posts, 207 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 12, 2009 at 6:48 PM

Cool! Thumbs up!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on December 12, 2009 at 7:04 PM

Beautiful! I love the minimal approach, awesome

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Bonar on December 12, 2009 at 7:36 PM

Great shot! It really gives a feel of habitat for this species. The low perspective really makes te hare stand out against the dark sky.

Registered on November 11, 2009, 25 Posts, 50 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM

Hi Ian,

Didn't even have to check who shot this when I saw the background - definitely an Ian Mason style shot! Which, of course, means I like it. Love the contrast, the positioning of the main subject, the background (of course). Very well done as always - pleasure to look at.

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on December 14, 2009 at 5:45 AM

Hi Ian,

I like this one a lot. It gives a great sense of space and the way the hare stands out against the dark background is really very nice.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on December 14, 2009 at 7:24 AM

That hare sure knew how to pick a great background! Great shot.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Davies on December 14, 2009 at 9:54 AM

love it.A cracking image.I like the comp used here and the BG is spot on.

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 15, 2009 at 11:51 PM

Just looking at this neat photo again, and I was wondering if you considered more of a pan crop? As I was scrolling the photo up and down I couldn't help but like the way it looked with more of the sky cropped out. Good photo and interesting story.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments