That’s it. That’s the post.
Well, not quite.
Arriving home in the early evening, I saw a bunny hop into our front yard. By the time I parked the car and closed the garage door, I figured it would be gone–under cover or gone gone. But no, it was sitting on a rock in the middle of the other rocks in our front yard. I got a phone-camera photo at max phone-camera zoom (see left below; the version on the right is after cropping and brightening).
I got my big camera and went back out, but I figured it would be gone–under cover or gone-gone. But no, it was still sitting on a rock in the middle of the other rocks, washing its face with its paws or drying its paws on its face. And then it was just sitting, looking alert (note the ears) and yet, somehow, relaxed.
Did it know I was there, as something distinct, say, from the shrub I was lurking behind or the porch pillar I was trying to blend into? I think so, although bunny cognition is not a subject I’ve studied. But even though we are unlikely to have a meeting of the minds, there is something immensely satisfying about a peaceful encounter with wildlife. Is there any chance the bunny feels the same? I don’t suppose so, but I kinda hope so.
I suspect urban bunnies have a connection with fellow urban dwellers.
So I’d say there is mutual respect.
Jim R – Let’s go with that.
Great photos, Isabel.
Tom
Tom – Many thanks. The bunny seemed happy to just sit which made it easier to get a focused shot, but the shot itself is unremarkable. What can you do?
Given the urban setting, which surely makes rabbits paranoid, this one must be exceptional. How skilled of you to get such clear views. The Peaceable Kingdom comes a mite closer.
Laurna – Maybe this bunny was just happy to be in a yard with no dog. There are several large dogs in our neighbourhood, and they’d be a challenge for bunny.
Isabel – actually bunnies in urban areas are probably less paranoid then bunnies out in the wild. Except for the occasional flacon or hawk, or getting run over by a car, there are no hunters and far fewer coyotes, hawks, foxes or owls to threaten their continued existence.
John – I think some wildlife gets habituated to the human presence in town, and that could have been what I saw. It seemed to take note of me, but nothing in my behaviour was an immediate concern, so it stayed put.