Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Friday 26 March 2021

MOUNTAIN HARE (Lepus timidus subspecies L. t. hibernicus) or IRISH HARE sheltering from the wind behind a HARD RUSH PLANT (Juncus inflexus), Turvey Nature Reserve, Donabate, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

 
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Click external link here for detailed Mountain Hare information

The Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) is of the family Leporidae which is in the genus Lepus and mainly occurs in the tundra and mountainous regions of the Palearctic.  
The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies that is endemic to Ireland. It uniquely also occurs in lowland areas down to sea level as well as not having a white coat in winter. 
The Hard Rush (Juncus inflexus) is of the family Juncaceaertgt which is in the genus Juncus. This perennial plant is native to Eurasia and Africa. It is found as an invasive species in a number of countries as well as eastern North America. Damp grassland areas, wetlands, sand dunes and marshes are its main habitats. The flowering season is from May to August when nondescript brown flower clusters are formed on its rigid stems.
  
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds