by Matthew Cobb
As featured on the BBC Winterwatch programme, this video shows a Russian arctic hare getting caught up in an avalanche triggered by a snowboarder. The hare runs across the onrushing snow, and manages to escape – just. Put it on full screen – it is really rather impressive. RT notes that this was filmed on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The music – included by the original poster – is by Flanagan and Allen, was a popular British hit in WW2, and was seen as a way of cocking a snook* at the Germans.
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*JAC: Matthew apparently doesn’t realize that this salaciously-sounding but innocuous phrase is unknown to many Americans. Here’s someone “cocking a snook” (usually only one hand is used):
Impressive. Actually the rabbit seems to be more swimming than running. I’ve had nightmares like this in which my footing is never regained until I awake in a sweat.
Watching tonight’s Winterwatch at the moment – they’ve just shown a night-vision sequence of a pine martin nomming an egg. Some of the best features of this year’s programmes have been about Scottish wild cats: some great pics as well as interesting science (the pure wild cats are threatened because they hybridise with domestic ones all too easily). Watch it if you get the chance.
Funny – “cocking a snook” is something we used to do in school in grade 5-6, just to poke fun at other kids. Didn’t know there was a word for that gesture and had a British origin.
I’ve always heard “thumbing your nose”.
There’s going to be some mighty big talk in the warren tonight.
That was epic!
The drawing is a double snook cocker. Must be extra insulting that way.
I do wonder though what happened to the snowboarder …
Did it really make it ? Or did they cut off the video to make it appear that it did ?
That was my thought too. Is there such a thing as being too skeptical for our own good?
I don’t know about MAC, but I remember learning that tune with reference to “Teddy” Heath instead of a bunny. Early 1974.
There are two Liverpool players called Flanagan & Allen – to the amusement of older footie fans!
Amazing.