Mountain Hare in the Shetland Landscape
In their brilliant white winter coat, Mountain Hares can look very conspicuous against the moorland in Shetland. I photographed this one at the top of the West Kames, looking north towards the Drongs and Eshaness in the distance (20km+ away).
Mountain Hares were introduced to the Shetland mainland in 1907 at the Kergord estate - so this is perhaps one of the descendants. Other than the lack of camouflage in winter (snow doesn’t usually stay for that long in Shetland), the hares are well suited to life amongst the heather moorland in the higher parts of Shetland.
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Image #524