The lair of the Mountain Hare

We’re walking along the road in Abruzzo when we see two Kestrels hunting on the brow of the hill. I decide to leave the road and climb the hill towards them.

I’m staring at the sky trying to focus on them. They are still too far away.

Then, from under my feet, a huge Mountain Hare bolts and heads off into the nearby scrub. It has long ears and ridiculously powerful back legs. I can just see its tail as it disappears.

I’m left staring at the Hare’s lair in the long grass.

I have photographs of neither the Hare nor the Kestrels. Worse than that, I’ve just stressed a Hare. I’m sure it’ll be back. I hope that one day I will be, too.