WINTER RETURNS, THE THIRD TIME THIS SEASON

 

Winter returns for the mountain hares

For the third time this season winter conditions finally arrive again. We've had just two pervious good dumps of snow and fabulous snow conditions since mid November. The brilliant snow cover on both occasions was virtually wiped out with crazy temperatures which lasted many weeks, especially the period in January. Even the most positive and optimistic of people (me!) were in despair with the distinct lack of snow fall and unbelievable double figure temperatures. On Thursday evening that all changed! Yeah! The next few days are looking extremely promising with low temperatures and further snowfall. 

THURSDAY 3 FEBRUARY

Simon was out with me today on a mountain hare photography workshop. There as been a distinct lack of snow in the area where I regularly run my workshops. High winds were forecast. Simon was keen to photograph the ptarmigan this week but high winds on the big Cairngorm summits put that one to bed. He was equally as keen to photograph the beautiful mountain hares. We set off in dull, mild conditions.

The light drizzle and rain started not long after we got the cameras out and to make it even better there was cloud drifting to lower elevations.

A very drookit hare

Not ideal photography conditions but after a couple of hours we had our first session with a wet and obliging hare.

Simon waiting for the mizzle to ease off

A snowless scene 

After lunch we had a good hour or so with my friend who was sitting at his usual form. Looking as wet and drookit as ourselves. We had as many layers of clothing on as in much colder and drier conditions. I went through 3 pairs of winter gloves in the time we spent sitting about and photographing. Mist and water on the lenses is a huge problem, the wind wasn't helping! But we did get some intimate moments as per usual with this wonderful character

Waiting for the snow

My 'friend' waiting patiently for snow

The light was very dull most of the day. We did well getting what we did out of the day. We saw no one else all day from the carpark and back again.

Wet ground, wet lenses

The best of the weather, lasted 10 minutes

I was actually colder than any day when we have 'normal' winter temperatures. The weather forecast was suggesting a cold front over night. They weren't wrong!

Not long to wait

FRIDAY 4 FEBRUARY

From drookit to snow pelted

Overnight temperatures dropped and for the first time in a while we had some proper snow down to Aviemore level. Winter returns! With a fine day forecasted on some of the lower hills I abandoned the boring office work and headed out with the camera again.

Snow at Aviemore level

Ice to low levels

Deep drifts

It was a fine day to be out. Freezing above 300m and stunning views. The trees lower down in Aviemore and Strathspey with that wonderful coating of fresh snow. What a contrast from less than 24 hours previously! Above about 700m there was some atmospheric drifting of the snow. Inbetween the bright sun and windblown snow I spotted a beautiful hare just sheltering behind a large boulder.

Windblown snow and mountain hare

A coating of snow. Will he shake it off?

Eventually!

It was marvellous spending some time with this particular hare. The drifting snow building up on his coat and face. I waited patiently and hoped he would get up and give himself a shake. He did, eventually.

The winds increased enough by 1pm to make photographing (and seeing without goggles!) quite a challenge. I savoured the atmospheric snow conditions a while longer before heading down the hill. Reaching Aviemore ( I can walk from my house to these beauties) it started snowing again. Long may it continue! Some wee videos below to give a taste of the beauty of snow and wind.

This is more like it!

Rime and frosted vegetation

Looking good above 700m