Well, the fears for the population of Arctic Hare (Lepus arcticus) living under The House, have proven to be groundless. After an absence of a couple of days, after the wolves appeared, the entire population (one) has returned to the house.
The hare’s tracks re appeared at the House about three days after the wolves showed up. At lunch I decided to walk around to the steps off our deck to have a look for her/him, as a depression under the bottom step showed that it spent time there. However, as I walked towards the front step I noticed a lump of snow.
Turns out, the lump of snow was the entire population of House Hares. It was still there at coffee time when Leah and Travis came for a visit. Travis was able to walk to within three feet of it before it moved about 10 feet away, under the deck. Nice having the wildlife come this close. No blue or red pee though.
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What a lovely animal, and what nice pictures. A great contrast to our place, summer here, we’ve got introduced brown hares in the padddock, brown hares on a dessicated brown landscape.
That fellow/gal blends into it’s surrondings good.
Oh! Major cuteness there. 🙂 I love the little black ear tips. I guess he thought he was invisible. What do they find to eat there this time of year? (Hope it’s not the underside of the house.)
Nice pix, but what’s that white stuff all over the ground?
Arctic Hare eat a variety of plants, signficantly Arctic Willow, but also grasses, sedges, and other plants. They are also known to eat carrion opportunistically, especially in tough times.
The white stuff? Just fluff from the Cottonwood Trees. It is especially bad this time of year.
Fantastic photos, Clare. It is so exciting to see that Arctic Hare. I love it. Glad to see that it wasn’t a wolf’s meal, afterall.
Isn’t there supposed to be an apple in its mouth?
Glad it’s still around, and nice to think you’re sharing your home with other creatures, provided they don’t intrude too much. Having wolves prowling must be a major buzz, though.
Glad to hear the House Hare is all right–and a handsome beast it is too!