The House & other Arctic musings

Backlit flight

Sure its a photo of burning garbage. But the backlit smoke, contrasted by the Raven in flight makes it one of my favourite images thus far this year.

More Hare

Bunny Bonanza

The Arctic Hare (Lepus arcticus) population is on a high year this year. For much of the same reasons as people in the south are seeing huge numbers of Snowy Owls this year, the hares enjoyed a good breeding season. With the lemming populations high this past summer predators put much less pressure on the hares, resulting in them having a lot of breeding success. 

This time of year, when the hares are very active and easily seen, just how successful they are is evident.  In town and in most suitable habitats outside one sees them, feeding, and fighting in preparation for the breeding season.  A friend reported to me a herd of some 40-50 of them in an area not too far from here, near the old Nanisivik town site. Something I've only heard of from Ellesmere Island.

So a lot of bunnies, makes for a lot of photo opportunities.  Here are a couple of images to share.