One evening I went outside to keep an eye on my son riding his bike when I saw some cottontail bunnies playing in between the storage units.. I pointed them out to my son who thought they were cool and then continued to ride his bike but away from the frolicking bunnies. I then quietly slipped back to the apartment and retrieved my camera. There is a small area of big spruce trees between the apartment and the storage buildings. I sat quietly on the edge of the spruce and the and storage buildings. A medium sized cottontail was playing with little young one. Then all of a sudden they dashed into the bushes beyond. Drats, I thought to myself and looked around. These were really young rabbits I thought, and then I waited After a while the larger rabbit came out and began exploring. A little while later the younger one came out and hopped up onto one of the entryways to someone's storage bin. Perhaps it had been watching the the chipmunks, mice and squirrels that frequent the bins who's doors have been damaged or not shut tight. That door was shut tight so he hopped down and nibbled the vegetation growing up through the gravel drive. Then he or she started to play with the older bunny. for a minute. At one point the older bunny hopped down the alley toward me stopping to listen once in a while. It came surprisingly close to me and stopped at the end of the building nearest the pond, maybe ten or twelve feet from me then dashed down the grassy side of the building out of sight. My son had stopped riding at this point and was crouched quietly behind my shoulder. I can't believe the bunny came so close he whispered. I was glad to share such an experience with him. Soon they both disappeared into the bushes as a crow flew over. My son returned to riding his bike. I waited quite a while and when I was about to quit they came out for one last show. I love wildlife, I guess I am easily entertained. In between rabbit shows a cute little chipmunk came out of one of the storage bins and foraged in the driveway. Then it scurried toward me and turned to stop in front of one on the storage bins. It picked up leaf like it was going to nibble on its. There were some weeds or Queen Anne's Lace growing up behind it and the white of the door frame just seemed a perfect backdrop so I shot a few frames of the little cutie. When I was young a chipmunk lived under our fort that Dad had built. My sister and I loved watching that little chipmunk. I remember she named him Runny because he always ran so quick. Although I am not sure it was always the same chipmunk that we saw. Sadly the next morning I found the back legs of a baby rabbit being eaten by the neighbor's "House Cat," under one of the picnic tables. It has also killed a lot of birds. Other than cars nothing is more dangerous to wildlife as "House Cat." I know rabbits are prey animals and actually taste really good but it really makes me angry. That cat gets well fed, it doesn't need to be stealing the food of wild natural predators! Grrrrr! Alright, I will get off my soapbox, now that I've probably upset many of you. My posts are going to become more sporadic. Sadly with gas prices I haven't gotten out much and my last hopeful outing turned out to be a freaking disaster. I might have a few more backyard stories for you. We are still trying to find safer and more affordable housing. Sadly more smokers have moved in and I often wind up having to use my inhaler to go do laundry, or getting the mail as I can't always avoid the cigarette smoke that builds up in the hall! Trust me it is no way to live and it will be worse in winter when all the doors and windows are kept closed. Photography sales are not doing well at all and to the few who have bought I thank-you from the bottom of my heart especially knowing first hand how hard it is to make ends meet right now. I think we all need a moment now and then to watch the bunnies play, or fresh air, to watch a sunset or sunrise, the sound of water gently lapping or rushing down a fall just to refresh ourselves. I hope you get to hop into a great weekend and get to enjoy a moment out in nature no matter how small it may be! |
Julie MetottNature Photographer, wife, mother, lover of outdoor adventure! Archives
November 2022
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