A life in the mountains
HAVING DRAWN into the first layby south of Slochd summit, I took a rucksack, camera and other photographic gear and ascended the hill to the east, intent on my first picture of a mountain hare. The going was steep, the ground rough underfoot and my load heavy; but that was not new.
My life had been altered at, of all things, a dinner party when one of our guests suggested that, to be 'world class' at anything, it is necessary to specialise. I decided that my focus for five years would be five species: dotterel, red grouse, crested tit, ptarmigan and mountain hare, the only mammal. Of these I had so far photographed all four birds, but no hares.
At that time, indeed until recently, they had not been photographed extensively. Other than experts, few people knew all that much about them, or much cared. In the last few years, public awareness has increased, and these amazing animals have begun to be appreciated for what they are and the magic they bring to the landscape. This turnaround, I
