I saw lots of Eastern Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) on Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Usually I see the rabbits during the early and late hours of the day, but these ones were active at midday. There is something really gentle about these creatures that really calms and soothes me.
In the first photo, one of the rabbit lifted its head to check me out and stared right at me. Deciding that I was not a threat, it returned to contentedly nibbling on the grass. I love the way that the rabbit’s ears look like mini-antlers, making it look like a cross between a rabbit and a deer.
In the second image, I captured a view of two rabbits contentedly chewing on the grass in an area adjacent to the parking lot. Perhaps they were used to the presence of people or perhaps they were less alert because they were eating. Whatever the reason, I was able to get my shots without disturbing them. The two rabbits were too far apart to get them both in focus, so I chose to focus on the nearest one and like the effect that I achieved.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That first photo’s the closest approximation to the mythical jackalope that I’ve ever seen.
Ah, that’s the creature that I had in mind, but had forgotten its name. I think that is mostly a Western myth, probably because thats where most of the jackrabbits are found. I smile when I look at that photo, because the rabbit looks so strange when viewed at that angle.
There is something similar in German folklore – “Wolpertinger” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolpertinger). People have a crazy fancy.
I love these! It’s a rare treat when you photograph mammals.
Thanks, Nina. I love it when I get to photograph mammals, which is one of the reasons why my Western trip this past summer was so special, giving me the chance to photograph bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs.
Nice
Thanks, Guy.
Anytime
Great photos, Mike. I love watching these guys. We still appear to have one or two living under my workshop.
These are constant visitors to our yard. One of Bentley’s disgusting habits is to forage for their pellets left behind. His vet calls them Doggie Caviar. 🙂
Yikes! Doggie Caviar? I find regular caviar to be unappetizing enough.
Yeah. His love of rabbit poop is rather off putting. No doggie kisses for a while. I have only had caviar once. We were staying in a nice hotel in Boston on the waterfront with Sunday brunch included and it was one of the “delicacies” on the table. Not to be repeated.
These photos are lovely!
Thanks.