A time of transition
Spring is a season of change, or more precisely, a season of transition. Transitions are the dynamic periods of change in nature that highlight the annual cycles. Spring is sometimes described as a transitional season and the bridge between the two extremely different seasons-summer and winter.
The gates of migration and preparation for the breeding season ahead have been flung open. Millions of animals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians are in the state of transition. I was thinking about this last week while I was in Alaska leading a photo tour. On the very last morning, I had an hour of time to myself. I knew of a place where I had seen Snowshoe Hares in the past, so I thought I would take a chance and see if I could find one.
It seems like Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus) are always in a state of transition, and at this time of year, late winter and early spring, I knew they would be changing from their winter white fur to the summer brown. The ability to change color is controlled by a single pigmentation gene that is activated during the autumn and spring molt. What kicks off the changes is the photoperiod, or the amount of daylight.
As I walked into a small section of forest right next to the Kachemak Bay, I saw some fresh hare tracks. We had a very light dusting of snow overnight, so I knew that the tracks were just a few hours old. As I made my way through the thick tangle of branches, trying to protect my camera, and also remain standing on my feet, I thought I saw a flash of white deeper in the thickest part of the woods. Instead of crashing through a nearly impenetrable tangle of branches, I thought I would go around to the side of the woods and enter from a different direction.
Again, I found fresh tracks. This time, they looked like the tracks were just a few minutes old. Just two steps into the thicket of wood, I saw the first Snowshoe Hare. It was behind so many branches it wasn’t even worth taking a picture. Trying to move slowly and quietly was nearly impossible due to thick undergrowth.
I turned around and headed towards the clearing, feeling defeated. Just then I saw a young bull Moose. I approached the moose, but he was standing in a thick stand of willow. I grabbed a couple images and checked my watch. It was time for me to head back. I thought I would cut across a grassy opening and climb a steep hill. Just as I got to the bottom of the hill, I saw some movement to my right. I turned and looked, and there was a Snowshoe Hare under a large fallen Aspen branch.
Again, this hare was covered by so many branches it really wasn’t worth taking the picture, so I just waited. About five minutes later, the Snowshoe hopped out into a small opening. The problem was the hare was facing away from me. I could see its left eye only, and it was munching on a twig. Again, there wasn’t a good picture, so I waited more. Five more minutes went by, and I was just about to give up when the hare turned its head and looked directly at me. Fortunately, I was kneeling down in the snow and had my camera ready. I took a burst of images just before the hare turned back and jumped underneath a fallen tree and was gone. The entire time the Snowshoe Hare turned and looked at me was about one to two seconds, but that is all it took to obtain a good image.
I walked back happy that I took the time to wait for the right moment and capture the image I had envisioned. The Snowshoe Hare is transitioning from the winter white fur and a diet of dried twigs and branches to a solid brown coat of fur and a diet of fresh greens. What a difference a season makes. Until next time…
Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels extensively to study and capture images and video of wildlife. He be followed on www.Instagram.com and www.Facebook.com. He can be contacted via his website at www.naturesmart.com.
