I like to walk the trails in Norris Geyser Basin when visiting Yellowstone National Park. One day, while I walked along a forested trail, I nodded at two people passing me going the opposite direction. Another person walked some distance ahead of me. All of them overlooked something alongside the trail. In fact, they missed it by a hare.
Can you spot what I saw near the trail?
Maybe everyone passing by was looking at this geyser on the other side of the trail and missed it.
I spotted a movement from a distance and stepped towards it for a closer look.
What is that? A new kind of rabbit? Maybe a pinto bunny?
When I looked through my binoculars, I figured it out. A snowshoe hare part way through changing from its winter coat to its summer one.
I was so excited by my discovery and wanted to point it out to other park visitors. Unfortunately, no one else passed by so I stood there quietly, taking in this unique sight alone.
Though we have visited Yellowstone many times, we had never seen snowshoe hares. We saw them in several locations in June of 2021. Had we overlooked them? Probably not.
Like other hares and rabbits, their populations peak in certain years. Snowshoe hares have 8-11 year cycles. The fluctuations may be related to the availability of food and how many predators are nearby. Lynx hunt snowshoe hares and their population levels go up in down in harmony with the hares’.
Those big ears help them detect predators. Their white fur color in the winter helps them hide in the snow, while the brown color helps them blend in once the snow has melted.
In early June, it was part way between seasons. There were still patches of snow in the park, so this hare could hide in plain sight. Still, I was surprised when other visitors walking the trail missed it by a hare.
Right after I saw the snowshoe hare, I started to write a short story about a creature that looked different from everyone else, but I never finished it. Seeing these pictures again has inspired me to finish this tale about an overlooked hare.
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Just perfect! I love the way you presented your ultimate shot but you had me at the title because that just the sort of thing I love. I was immediately looking for the hare. Thanks for the smile and the creative response to the challenge!
janet
Thank you, Janet! It was a good prompt 🐰
Great story! What an unusual looking animal. Glad you captured it.
Thanks! Yeah, it looked kinda weird.
GREAT photos. A bit hare-brained, though. 😂
😁 Thanks for the compliment and the giggle, John!
A wonderful find Siobhan :)
Hey there! We truly appreciate reading people's blogs and the entertaining content that creators like you share . Your personal experiences enhances the vibrant online community that we all value . Keep creating and empowering your audience, because your creativity can make a positive impact on the world. We can't wait to discover what you'll create next!
Thanks- Jason http://www.pomeranianpuppies.uk
Yes, it was! :D
Loved your post Siobhan - so glad it inspired you to finish your story. The hare is so unique looking!! How interesting that it changes colors for the season. Terrific choice for the week.
Thanks, Tina! Overlooked was the perfect word to go along with that experience. No one else saw it.
Great find! I am sure the others were distracted by the hot water and didn’t bother looking around for everything Yellowstone has to offer. Snowshoe hares are so cute with their big ears and feet.
Yeah, it was a nice surprise! It was so close to the trail, and I got a great look at it. 🙂
I agree with others, a creative take on the challenge. And I smiled thinking of you waiting to share the location with others. Thank you for that. Yes, I think it is time to finish your story, Siobhan. I used to think how lucky the little critters are in Yellowstone to have a warm area to hunker down in the winter.
Thanks, Donna! It was so calm and peaceful. Yes, Yellowstone is a wonderful haven for wildlife.
And for those humans who love it the way we do.
❤
How could they miss Big Ears Bob? I was actually wondering what that black thing by the trail in the first picture was.
Yeah, it was hard to miss it, but they did. Glad I got to see it. 🙂
What a wonderful sighting, proving it pays to be observant 😀 I loved the pun in your title too!
Yes, it certainly pays to be observant, Sarah. Glad you liked my little pun. :D