These lively images show a mountain hare breaking all the usual rules in the Cairngorm National Park, Scottish Highlands, captured by wildlife photographer and guide Karen Miller. Instead of settling down for a daytime nap, the hare was constantly on the move as it began its seasonal change from white winter coat to brown summer pelage.
Mountain hares are typically most active at dusk and dawn, often spending daylight hours dozing safely in place. But this individual had other ideas, keeping busy with grooming, shaking off loose fur, and repeatedly popping up onto its hind legs.
For Karen, it made for an unusually entertaining encounter, a rare chance to watch a normally sleepy species full of energy and personality.
