MEET the man behind the hares — wildlife photographer and animal lover, Nick Edwards.

Nick, 65, of Cowes, has spent the seven years of his retirement finding the best places to find a hare, studying the patterns of their routines and working with the best light to capture them.

And his efforts have not been in vain. Nick has been published widely in the press and online, including in the 2019 Hare Preservation Trust calendar.

A selection of his photographs of Island hares were shortlisted for the prestigious British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018 International Photographic Competition — although he didn't win, he said it was an honour to be shortlisted.

Nick said: "I've had a keen interest in natural history and photography all my life. I spent my early years learning about wildlife and photography from my father.

"Back then, photographing creatures was more of a 'hit and miss affair' and an expensive waste of film. It was particularly important to learn the behaviours and habits of the animals and this 'field-craft' has been invaluable ever since."

He then moved to the Island, quickly met the local birdwatching fraternity and was a founder of the IW Ornithological Group.

Although his interest in birds continues, he has since become fascinated with studying the wild mammals on the Island.

He said: "We are lucky in that there are several beautiful ones to choose from on our Island. At first, I focused on red squirrels and foxes.

"Then, I saw a pair of boxing hares one early morning and my heart was set on finding out how to photograph these rarely seen creatures."

Brown hares, although not endangered, are a game species with no closed season and are still sometimes illegally hunted by small numbers of dogs for gambling purposes.

As part of his dedication to photographing hares, Nick linked up with the IWNHAS (IW National History and Archaeological Society) and the national Hare Preservation Trust to help record and photograph the animals' movements.

"Finding them regularly is obviously the first step to photographing them frequently," said Nick. "Then, except for pure luck, there is no shortcut to taking close up photos of hares.

"They are wary and flighty creatures that can be off across a field at more than 30mph in a moment."

Therefore, in order to capture IW hares, Nick studied their regular behaviour, common routes and feeding patterns.

As they have relatively poor eyesight — but a keen sense of smell and exceptional hearing — Nick found the best way to capture them is by waiting in the right spot and staying still, sometimes for a considerable time.

By using this method, he can often be within a few feet of at least one hare each day.

"I have even had them run into me on several occasions," he said. "I've had tiny leverets sitting on my feet, staring up at me."

Out of all his methods and photographs however, Nick said his favourites are those that use the light just right.

"It is possible to take good photos of hares in rain, mist or otherwise dull conditions, but the introduction of a shaft of light, a reflection of a sunset or a sparkle in the eye transforms a bad weather shot into something breath-taking.

He describes this method as 'finding a patch of light and waiting for something to sit in it.

"It is the most time consuming method, but by far the most successful for taking the wildlife photographs I'm most proud of."

More of Nick's photos can be seen at www.wightseen.co.uk.