These big-eared creatures were certainly living up to their “mad March hare” reputation when snapped by a keen photographer near Capel St Mary.

Ipswich Star: John Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLEJohn Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLE (Image: Archant)

Nature enthusiast John Boyle had spotted the brown hares darting excitedly around fields near to the Suffolk village while walking his dog, Casper.

Hares are known to run, jump and box with other hares more extravagantly during their mating season in March, hence the popular phrase “mad as a March hare”.

Ipswich Star: John Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLEJohn Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLE (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: John Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLEJohn Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLE (Image: Archant)

Their antics are often a sign that spring is well and truly on its way.

Returning without his pet but with a camera before the UK-wide lockdown due to coronavirus, Mr Boyle said: “I decided to return to see if I could get some close-up photographs of the animals which were living up to their ‘mad March hare’ reputation, as the males chased the females who would ‘box’ the males to keep them at bay.

Ipswich Star: John Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLEJohn Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLE (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: John Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLEJohn Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLE (Image: Archant)

“I had some success by carefully approaching the hares downwind, setting up under the cover of the hedgerow and waiting for them to gradually come within range of my lens.

“But I also got some great images when a preoccupied hare ran towards me as I walked one of the footpaths, totally oblivious of my presence, and I managed to drop to the ground and focus as the obliging animal ran around just five metres from me.”

Ipswich Star: John Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLEJohn Boyle took these pictures of brown hares in fields around Capel St Mary. Picture: JOHN BOYLE (Image: Archant)

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Brown hares can often be spotted in fields throughout the year and can run at speeds of 45mph when evading predators.