Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Da Feet

I was snowshoeing on a late spring morning deep in the forests of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado when I saw this snowshoe hare sitting on a small snow mound. Luckily, there was a clear view between and behind some pesky pine tree branches. I carefully positioned myself facing the snowshoe hare, hoping I wouldn’t make too much noise. Too much noise, and the hare would undoubtedly run. Luckily, the hare accepted me into his world and let me sit and wait. And wait. I waited patiently for the hare to do something, but sleep was the only thing that interested this little fella. When the snowshoe hare finally woke from his slumber many hours later, it hopped off the small snow mound and continued a short distance to the nearest pine tree to grab dinner. Then the hare began to nibble eagerly on some pine tree branches. With the high frame rate camera that I was using, I was able to capture the moment of the hare hopping, accentuating his very large feet. These large feet are what gives the appropriate name, snowshoe hare.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2022
Date Uploaded: 10.2023
Photo Location: Estes Park, Colorado, United States of America
Copyright: © Deena Sveinsson
Awards
Finalist