Mountain Hare in Scotland

[@derekclark4762]

Hi Dan, as always another goody, you certainly put some legwork in on this one, thrill of the chase, the dilemma, stay put or hunt them, I spent a morning in the Findhorn near Corrie Vorrie waiting for Goldies but not a glimpse. I did watch a pair of Kestrels stooping up and down a cliff face mobbing a Raven and a large herd of Red deer, and went to Ruthven in the afternoon and watched Slavonian Grebes for a couple of hours, days before camera. Roll on next episode 👍 Derek

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Derek, you are absolutely right and you can guarantee that if you had left that location the Goldies would’ve turned up. Sounds like you had a fantastic trip though especially with the Grebes 👍🏻

[@jeanlouis83]

Hello Dan, a good video and good images of hares, Bravo, I am amazed by the quality of the images of the Z9 with little light, have a good day

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you very much Jean Louis I really appreciate it. The Z9 really is an awesome camera. All the best 👍🏻

[@relichunter7984]

Great video Dan, looks a beautiful place. You will get lucky with the right conditions one day I'm sure🤞

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, always appreciated. It’s what keeps me going back to a location, the promise of the perfect conditions 👍🏻

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

Just loved that Dan. Love the Findhorn Valley, saw my first golden eagle there back in September. It’s a truly stunning place as you say. 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Glad you enjoyed it Ian, I am in awe of the valley and would love to see Eagles there. Thanks very much, appreciated as always 👍🏻

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

@@danwillis_photography me too Dan, I could just spend the whole day there. 👍😃

[@LouisaLee63]

Nicely done! Lovely video and photos.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@johnflanagan44]

Yet another fantastic vlog i bet the weather was nice and warm for you 😂

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers John, absolutely freezing mate 😂😂😂 the things we do for the shot 👍🏻

[@KarlWellerPhoto]

Cracking video as always Dan, we are off to Blairgowrie and then to Nethy Bridge in 3 weeks for a long list of wildlife we are after photographing - can’t wait to see your Glenshee video, great place for wildlife 👍🏻

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Karl, really appreciate it. Your trip sounds awesome, you must let me know how you get on 👍🏻

[@RobertArundell-u3r]

Another great video Dan. Rob Arundell

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Rob 👍🏻

[@Kevin-vg9lt]

Very enjoyable as always Dan, looked like a bit of a tough gig. A few nice images in the end though it looks like you might have to go back next week as snow is forecast 🌧️. Best of luck if you go back it would be great to see some images of them in the snow as they do look great. Cheers.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Kevin, it was tough going but very rewarding when you get the encounter. I’m hoping if we get a good dump of snow I might get to photograph the mountain hares in the Peak District which are only a couple of miles from where I live 👍🏻

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

another fabulous video Dan hope u had a fabulous Christmas hope we can do a shoot soon

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Mike, looking forward to getting out with you soon 👍🏻

[@sheila4254]

Fantastic video.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Sheila 👍🏻

[@debbiesmith2332]

Great video Dan, and Loch Garten tomorrow - am deeply envious! Hope you get some snow. Just thinking of booking my October holiday in Cairngorms - but it's a long way off! Sigh.

[@danwillis_photography]

Get it booked, I’m already planning my return visit. Thanks very much for your comment, always appreciated 👍🏻

[@robbrackimp]

Excellent video Dan, shame about the snow, that's British weather for you.

[@danwillis_photography]

It keeps us going back for more, the promise of the perfect conditions. Thanks mate 👍🏻

[@steveoldham4462]

Great video

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Steve 👍🏻

[@Bird_in_camera]

Great place to be. Been down the valley about 3 times over the years. Cairngorms is my favourite place. Findhorn valley, Farr road, loch Ruthven, Lochndorb, done those and have always seen something. Grantown woods as well, loch garten, loch morlich, uath lochens as well.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks for sharing some of your favourite places I might tap you for some more information before my next trip 👍🏻

[@alyamaut]

Top notch video Dan, thanks a lot for the tips🤘

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Aly, always appreciated 👍🏻

[@alyamaut]

@@danwillis_photography 🤘

[@pjbateman406]

Great sequence on stalking your subject. Once again, I appreciate your deliberate mention of ethical pursuit. If the animal is stressed, it's not healthy. Sadly, birders and wildlife photographers are guilty of pressuring their subjects. Any time we interact with a subject in the outdoors, we need to be respectful. You are a shining example of ethical means in capturing your subject. Many thanks!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I genuinely really appreciated your comment and recognition of my ethics. All the very best 👍🏻

[@StephenBrooks-e9m]

Fantastic vista

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Stephen, it really is a fantastic location 👍🏻

[@StephenBrooks-e9m]

@@danwillis_photography it’s on my bucket list.

[@davidsutton2432]

Another great video Dan. some fantastic images

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much David, always appreciated 👍🏻

[@GeoffCooper]

Lovely video from one of my favourite locations - you never know what you'll see there but you almost always get something good :) I'm not sure I'll get up there this year so it's great to have a little peek of it from your vlog! The hares come down to the valleys to feed at night, so when it's cold and frozen I think they tend to stay lower down unless spooked into going higher. Shame that takes them away from the snow fields though! Re. the big herd of red deer, they're down on the big flat area near where you parked almost every night - I remember chatting to the local stalker one night I was camped in the car there and he asked 'want to see some deer?', then turned on a spot light on his landy and the number of eye reflections coming back at us was ridiculous!!

[@danwillis_photography]

WOW I bet the sight of all those eyes staring back at you was incredible Geoff. I think I’ve only just scratched the surface of this valley as I’ve only visited a handful of times and been blown away by it immediately, I can definitely see a number of return visits on the cards. All the very best mate 👍🏻

[@GeoffCooper]

@@danwillis_photography yeah, it's great in high summer too with a lot of different birds, including waders etc., right along the valley floor... as well as the deer, goats, hares and eagles of course!

[@danwillis_photography]

@@GeoffCooper you have definitely peaked my interest enough for some future visits at different times of the year. As always, really appreciate your comments and valuable information Geoff 👍🏻

[@Bird_in_camera]

Just watched your video in full. Some great shots of Hares. Fully appreciate your section on stalking your subject. Something I do myself. What I also do as I am zig zapping I concentrate my vision at the edges (takes some practice), just to keep tabs where it is and then on changing direction I turn away from the subject so I never look directly at it. I have even employed using sunglasses so I could look directly at it. Depends on light for that. It's important that the subject doesn't see your eyes looking at it directly while you move.

[@danwillis_photography]

Some fantastic advice there, especially when turning to turn away from your subject. I had not thought about that. I must try this along with the sunglasses next time 👍🏻

[@Bird_in_camera]

@@danwillis_photography If you think about it from your subjects perspective, they want to know if you are a threat. Been on the news, snow up north.

[@danwillis_photography]

@@Bird_in_camera makes a lot of sense. I’m hoping that the snow is still around come the weekend as I am working all week 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@LynneH-ej6rx]

Love the video! Beautiful hares.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you very much, really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@trevorhughes8463]

Findhorn is a birder's paradise. Also, red squirrels are around the area and red grouse can be seen along the Farr road. I've seen some 9 species of raptor in the area over the years and like you, love the beauty of the place. I heard that there were plans to build an electricity substation down there a couple of years ago 😢 I hope that won't materialise as it will ruin the area. We had one built near us that scarred the landscape and we lost a hen harrier breeding spot. A lovely video, most enjoyable, thank you!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Trevor, think I’ve genuinely only scratched the surface for this valley and definitely plan to return soon. All the very best mate 👍🏻

[@joncothranphotography9375]

So awesome! Congrats on getting a shot in the snow! That was great! Thanks for letting me tag along!

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Jon, always very much appreciate your continued support 👍🏻

[@andywilson3381]

Another great video Dan, really pleased you got the shots, shame there was no snow! Next time!!

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Andy, there’s always a next time is my motto 😂😂😂 All the best mate 👍🏻

[@zebeddy]

Really enjoyed watching this Dan. How come you haven't put any of these shots up on Instagram? Absolutely love the shot at 14:22 (A Scrape in the Heather)

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate that, I’ve been so busy since my return to work from the Christmas break I have just not gotten round to it, your comment has just given me the kick up the arse I needed so thank you 👍🏻

[@zebeddy]

@@danwillis_photography Just seen you uploaded it. Cracking shot buddy :)

[@danwillis_photography]

@@zebeddy thanks mate 👍🏻

[@stefangoldensteinwildlife9929]

Hey Dan. very nice landscape. I love the mountains and the wildlife you found. Thank you for sharing. Greets Stefan

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you Stefan, glad you enjoyed it. All the best 👍🏻

[@paulrainford70]

Looking forward to this one Dan as it's a trip I'd like to do myself!!

[@danwillis_photography]

Hope you enjoyed it Paul 👍🏻

[@derekflynnsnr]

Great video Dan, who’d have thought there’d be a serious lack of snow in Scotland 😂

[@danwillis_photography]

😂😂😂 always plenty of snow before I go and after I get home but never whilst I’m there, maybe next time 👍🏻