Ding Ding

Artist: Nic Relton
previous browse art next

Card: US$4.66
Print: from US$19.95

Ding Ding

Boxing is common behavior for Brown Hares. It was first thought that the males boxed for territory. It has since been discovered that it is the females that “box” to keep unwanted males at bay.

Again I laid in the long Grass for 4 hours waiting to see this behavior, camera at the ready. I watch a single individual sit in the grass and eat until the last half hour. I looked down for a second then heard a scuffle and freaked into action. A male had come out of nowhere and tried his luck. She had a different view! The picture really doesn’t do the event justice, they really go for each other and it’s SO fast!

I missed the best of it because I had not left enough space on my card. Grr!

I will return tomorrow, weather permitting, for another few hours to try again. I might get a life one day ; )

Tip to others – Never take your eye away from the camera and always make sure you have plenty of space on your card!!!

Nikon D300
Sigma 500mm
f/ 7.1
Shutter 1/640
Exposure Comp -0.7EV
ISO 1250 – no noise softening software used, the D300 is pretty good at coping with noise, not D3 good but not bad!

Info
The reason in England we have the Easter Bunny is because people would see these chaps laying in a feild and when they got too near it would run off…..so would a nearby Lapwing and it was folklore that the Hares would lay eggs for easter! Amazing what you find out on TV!!!! Thanks Pete!

Ding Ding belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, All Around the Styles, Animal Kingdom, Exotic Mammals, High Quality Animal Images - 1 Submission a Week, Just Pure Nature., Natural Developments, Nikon DSLR Users Group - 2 uploads per 24 hours, The Addicted Photographer►2 Per Day◄ and United Kingdom Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Laurie Puglia

nic, what a really awesome photo!!
Laurie Puglia

nic, what a really awesome photo!!
Nic Relton replied

Hi laurie, thanks!
Anibal

Nic…yeah…you finally got it….looks like your long stay in the grass finally paid off… Cha Ching….with the ding ding
John Hooton

Interesting shots Nic, worth the wait.
Chris Snyder

Wow! Fantastic. Super behavior caught by some diligent patience. Super light too.
Nic Relton replied

Thanks so very much Chris
carlosramos

Hey, Nic this is absolutely wonderful.
Nic Relton replied

Thanks so much Carlos : )
Christopher Bi...

wow, you nailed this one! fantastic shot…c
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Christopher, it was just what I was hoping for!
Catherine Davis

Fantastic photos Nic. They are both awesome shots! I can imagine what you mean by the speed and I am amazed that you caught them, well done!
Nic Relton replied

At the risk of sounding like a sad nature nerd…This was really exciting to see, It just the behavior I was looking for but I expected to have to wait weeks to get it! Winter is on its way now so my next challenge is to get them doing it again in a frosty setting! Thanks for your comment!!! : )
Stzar

WOW what a fantastic capture !!
It is very exciting to see them ~ i know the Bucks will tangle up in a ferocious battle and actually may castrate one another in their battle for dominance ~ it is fantastic to witness the doe’s display of dominance

a lot of people do not realize how powerful rabbits truly are !!
I love your work ~ it is wonderful, and so rare a capture !!
Nic Relton replied

Thank you Karon, what a great comment. I have seen this behavior on T.V. but never in the flesh. It was really exciting to watch. Hares are actually really interesting, sounds weird huh! I hope to learn more about them and capture move behavior. I am glad you love my work!!
Marleia Main

Hello you .. Sorry it took so long for me to comment : ( I think this is so incredible!! I can not believe you captured this! I am inspired to “hunt” and wait now. I think I need a new lens though .. We need to talk about telephoto lenses next. Night u!!
Nic Relton replied

Well If you can waite or follow an insect for hours then you can do this easy!

MMMMMmmmm Lenses MMMmmmm
$$$$$$$$$$

; )
Marleia Main

Hmmm? You never commented back … Mister .. U r mean!! When u see this one delete it please : ))
Mark Cosgriff

Wow, indeed. excellent capture.
Nic Relton replied

Hey, thanks!!!!
Steve Bulford

What a great capture!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Steve!!! : )
Skye Ryan-Evans

Nic, you must have one superfast camera! I’ve seen these Hares on tv documentaries and they had to slow mo the footage so the audience can view the crazy antics! I know the feeling when a card runs dry in the middle of ecstasy, but at least you recorded some of it and it is incredible! Wildlife photography takes an incredible amount of patience but you are a superb example of how that ability to wait for the “moment” pays off. Great shots! ~ Skye
Nic Relton replied

Wow thanks Skye you just put the biggest smile on my face! You are right they are superfast so I had to really crank up the ISO to get a shutter speed that would “freeze” them! Thank you for the comment, it really means a lot!!!
Carol Barona

Wow, great action shot – I love how they are boxing with their eyes closed. This is an awesome capture.
Nic Relton replied

It was lightening fast… they just closed their eyes and when at it! Thanks for commenting!
zpaperboyz

Great Shot!
Nic Relton

Thanks!
P3T3

Absolutley brilliant photo…....The reason in England we have the Easter Bunny is because people would see these chaps laying in a feild and when they got too near it would run off…..so would a nearby Lapwing and it was folklore that the Hares would lay eggs for easter! Amazing what you find out on TV!!!!
Nic Relton replied

Interesting stuff Pete! Thanks very much!!!
sweetdesign

Fabulous shot! Well worth the wait it is terrific!!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks very much!!! : )))))
Diane Schuster

This is a fantastic shot, thanks for the info too, it was very interesting!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks for a really nice comment, i’m glad you dropped by! : )
DottieDees

Smart females!! Love this capture!!
Nic Relton replied

Ha! Typical lol, you girls stick together!!! Thanks for looking Dot! : )
Peter Denness

I really like this, and the other version on the right even more.
Nic Relton replied

I’m glad you like it Pete! Welcome to the RB world, careful though, it can get addictive!!! ; )
Neophytos

Exceptional !!!!
Nic Relton replied

Thank you! Thanks for looking, fellow Nikonian!!! ; )
Jeannette Sheehy

wow – how come you’re on my watchlist – and have been for EVER and I missed this one?? Your photos are so amazing here Nic! I have never seen this happen in real life…you must have been lying still for hours! Great payoff! :)
Nic Relton replied

Thank you Jeannette, your very kind. It was really cool to see and yes, my idea of a really good day out is lying in a field looking at big rabbits argue with one another for ours on end. Thats ok… right? hmm maybe I need a life lol ; )
Sandy Woolard

This capture is amazing…they look more like giving each other high five than boxing. Stunning captures!
Nic Relton replied

Geez… High Five…. i like it, why didn’t I think of that! Thanks for looking Sandy : )))
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS

What a wonderful oppurtunity to capture this shot…...... amazing catch!! Outstanding work!! :-))
Deb
Nic Relton replied

Thank you Deb! : ))))))
Benjamin Young

This is outstanding…... What an awesome capture….! ! !
Nic Relton replied

Thank you very much Ben!!!
Jan Cartwright

Amazing shot – great work capturing such a “there and gone” moment!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Jan, once I get rid of this cold I plan to find them again! A frost morning Hare is my next challenge! : )
Ginger Barritt

LOL!!! You have a most amazing talent!!! This is delightful!
Jared D White

Fantastic! I love the shot posted next to it. Never seen anything like that! Thank you
Nic Relton replied

No worries Jared! Thanks for looking!!!
ldeiter78

Excellent photos!!! I love the action – made me laugh!!!
Nic Relton replied

Cool!!! “Who me? I didn’t take the peanuts!” made me laugh too! :)))
Teeze

What a cool capture! Nicely done Nic.
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Teeze! Rock on man!!! : )
Kristina K

awesome action shot well done :)) k
Nic Relton

I am glad you think so K! thanks very much : ))))))
Nature's Realm

Awesome capture Nic! – Dennis
Sandi Baker

You are a brilliant photographer – just stunning!!
Nic Relton replied

Thank you Sandi!! I love your paintings, you are very talented! All I have to do is wait and push a button. : )
Nickolay Stanev

Wow, this is really cool (as so many others already stated… :)).
Christopher E...

totally EXCELLENT shot!! and what an opportunity to capture this , i guess they were more interested in claiming territory, then worrying about you being close..amazing shot
Nic Relton replied

It was really cool to see! Wish I could catch them at it in the snow… that might be pushing my dedication a bit though ; ) Thanks very much Chris!
Lucindawind

fantastic shots nic .. they look like the are doing a High 5 lol
Nic Relton replied

Late again … SORRY!!! Thank you : )))
Dawne Olson

This is such an AWESOME capture!! Great narrative you included as well…. first rate photo!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Dawne, I am glad you like the page! : )
Waleska Luker

lol never seem this before, so funny!
Nic Relton replied

I had only seen it on tv, i was lucky to see it in the fur! Thanks : )
Zoraida Pesante

AWESOME CAPTURE! WOW ADORABLE!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Zee Zee : )
ccwri

Stunning images, well worhth the lay in wait. Nice work, Nic…..
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Carolyn! They’re not as cute as this though : )
brigusser

This is master class.
klezedawg

you rarely see the violent side of bunnies, great shot
jwinman

great capture!
Nic Relton

It was worth the wait! Thanks again : )
Phillip Weyers

It’s a tough life being a male!... great shot Nic.
Nic Relton replied

Too right! ; )
Arla M. Ruggles

Excellent capture!

I have a few of jackrabbits boxing – so hilarious to watch them—and, as you have mentioned, it’s very quick.
Nic Relton replied

It was definitely fun to watch, thanks Arla :)
Charlene Aycoc...

I find this capture really amazing, rabbits to me are so hard to get, we have lots of them in the wild, but they take off pretty fast.
Nic Relton replied

Well I had to wait for a while ; ) Thank you Charlene
lorilee

What a fabulous capture!!!!!!
Nic Relton replied

I am glad you think so, thanks Lorilee : )
Marleia Main

Just voted for this photo Relton!! Nice job Treadwell ;)
Nic Relton

Thank you Main : )
jdmphotography

Congratulations a fantastic image !
mltrue

great shot! The first glance at this, it looked as if the rabbits were giving each other high fives! lol
kevinmawson

A great capture Pete! i will be waiting for your next great capture of these amazing little guys.
km.
AJM Photography

This is simply stunning. And the dedication to capturing it is inspiring.
AnnDixon

Really wonderful capture of these shots,
Meeli Sonn

Wow, thanks for information. It was very interesting. Picture is great.
Sandy Stewart

WOW,........very nicely taken at just the right moment! An instant fav for me! : )
Nic Relton replied

Thank you very much Sandy, I appreciate the comments : )
snappyexposure

Just fantastic work, I am green with envy, amazing stuff.
Nic Relton replied

Ok Paula I have just seen some of your stuff and you have no need to be envious! You live on the Shetland Islands so you have loads of cool stuff around you i.e Puffins! AND You have a picture of an Arctic Hare so I am more jealous!!!
Jonathan Carre

Brilliant behavioural shot.
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Johnathan
John Wright

Excellent capture!
jesika

Excellent image. I’ve seen this a few times but never had a camera clever enough to capture the action.
Wonderful
j
Lover1969

What perfect timing here! Love this!
Heather Rivet...

brilliant
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Heather : )
Anthony Comella

Great job Nic – Wonderful!!
Nic Relton replied

Thanks Anthony! : )