cottontail rabbit resting and browsing in the evening, near a buddy

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CC: peace

A rustle in the bushes proved to be a rabbit coming out for the evening, and then freezing in place once it became aware of me. It stayed still even as I walked around to find an opening through which to shoot it without any branches between us, and I was pretty close at that point. I don't see a lot of rabbits in winter months, and this was a nice treat at the end of a lovely long walk on an unexpectedly warm December day.

Prey animals often freeze in place instead of fleeing. It takes less energy, and if you haven't noticed them, the act of fleeing will actually draw your attention. Besides, they would rather leave quietly and without observation; it's easier to hide if the predator hasn't seen where you went! The tendency to freeze in place gives some good opportunities for photographers, but you do have to have a sense of how close an individual animal will allow you to approach, and if possible to leave before causing the animal too much discomfort or forcing it to flee.

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cottontail eating

Tags:   cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus cottontail rabbit eastern cottontail rabbit

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Flickr Lounge: fill the frame

As I took shots of this still young cottontail, I realized it was just the right shape to get all of it within the frame for a vertical portrait, and so I took one (leaving a small bit of space in front of its face). I did not crop or otherwise adjust this photo after I took it. It's interesting as I look at this photo to notice that neither of its ears is facing me, suggesting it had not noticed my presence. Southern Indiana.

Tags:   cotton-tail cottontail rabbit young rabbit juvenile rabbit bunny rabbit mammal Sylvilagus floridanus eastern cottontail rabbit Flickr Lounge fill the frame

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