Under starters orders
13th May 2020
I confess to being rather over excited and giddy at the prospect of being allowed outdoors, for unlimited time, since Boris made the announcement for easing lockdown restrictions on Sunday.
Where should I go first with the camera, will the hares still be there? What will have changed in terms of habitat? So a 4.30am start didn't faze me as basically I had barely slept a wink all night in eager anticipation of hitting the fields as soon as possible.
Yes, the fields had changed a lot over the last two months, crops that weren't there before are now a healthy foot taller making only tops of ears visible. Spray from an overhead irrigation system sprinkler was also a damp, drawback for the hares and I but at least I could breath a sigh of relief, the hares were there!
Despite the chilly, brisk breeze life seems to have carried on regardless with hares, they were still boxing and romping happily along the ploughed tram lines. I unwittingly lurked by a hawthorn hedge out of the prevailing winds and strike lucky with a female hare who came to check in on her well hidden leverets. She was calm and curious in equal measure to her youngster's was excitement and exuberance at seeing her.
I laid low and shared a few precious moments with them before slithering away to leave them in peace but what a perfect start to the day and hope for better things to come.
Where should I go first with the camera, will the hares still be there? What will have changed in terms of habitat? So a 4.30am start didn't faze me as basically I had barely slept a wink all night in eager anticipation of hitting the fields as soon as possible.
Yes, the fields had changed a lot over the last two months, crops that weren't there before are now a healthy foot taller making only tops of ears visible. Spray from an overhead irrigation system sprinkler was also a damp, drawback for the hares and I but at least I could breath a sigh of relief, the hares were there!
Despite the chilly, brisk breeze life seems to have carried on regardless with hares, they were still boxing and romping happily along the ploughed tram lines. I unwittingly lurked by a hawthorn hedge out of the prevailing winds and strike lucky with a female hare who came to check in on her well hidden leverets. She was calm and curious in equal measure to her youngster's was excitement and exuberance at seeing her.
I laid low and shared a few precious moments with them before slithering away to leave them in peace but what a perfect start to the day and hope for better things to come.