On a fairly regular basis I see deer and jack rabbits. It's close to rutting season for the mule deer. Through most of September I would see four bucks. They vary from a very senior buck to a young buck with spikes. I watch for them but sometimes I hear them before I see them. They are having little tussles and you hear the click of the antlers before you see the animals in the dark.
I caught this doe in mid November not far from my house.
At times I see jack rabbits every walk. What I've seen the last week has me asking many questions. I found three little bunnies that are 1/4 to 1/3 of the adult size. Miserable weather can kick in in October and we sometimes have winter weather by the beginning of November. Tonight a cold front has moved in. Our high tomorrow will be minus 2. Will these little guys reach maturity before winter sets in?
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| A two day old jack rabbit |
An adult jack rabbit in my yard. They can weigh up to 10 lb.
Up close
Now the first night I saw these three little guys in the road gutter beside the sidewalk. I told them that was a silly place to sit but they didn't listen. The doe was about 50 m away. One crossed the road. The next night I saw only two little guys. This time they ran into a housing development which is quite safe compared to a road. The next night they were in a dark and fairly large yard. They were chasing each other! I couldn't believe that they were playing just like puppies or kittens.
Each night they seem to be more active and venturesome.
I certainly hope they make it to the winter. Statistics aren't on their side. Only 30% make it to one year of age.
They are as cute as can be. We had some rabbits but I think the fox got them :(
ReplyDeleteThis one had an attitude. I guess I would too if some giant stood over me.
DeleteThose jack rabbits are cute when they're little. We had a few bunnies in Chicago who liked to wander around the neighborhood. However, once West Nile disease hit and so many of the big birds died, the bunny population exploded.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has all kinds of bunnies in La Grange.
DeleteThey look so cute, I hope they will be strong enough for winter temperatures.
ReplyDeleteThey're cute. They move in a hurry so I will probably not see them again.
DeleteHello, the deer is pretty but I love the Jack rabbits. The baby rabbit is just adorable. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week.
ReplyDeleteSome people never see these large critters.
Delete...a pair of deer were in our drive last night.
ReplyDeleteNeat to see them in our yards. Mine (deer) come at night.
DeleteIt seems an odd time to have a litter of rabbits. Is that the right term for newborn jackrabbits? They are cute, though. :-)
ReplyDeleteLitter will do. I've seen other immatures at this time.
DeleteIt is shocking the survival rates of many critters. I love your walkie tales!
ReplyDeleteFor these they say about 30% make to a year.
DeleteI hope they make it too. They are so cute.
ReplyDeleteThey live a very precarious existance.
DeleteHopefully they have a chance.
ReplyDeleteWe'll never know.
DeleteWow, those are some big rabbits! (The adults, anyway.) The babies are cute. I hope they make it too, though I guess this is why rabbits reproduce so crazily -- the odds are stacked against them.
ReplyDeleteOnly 30% make it to one year.
DeleteBaby anythings are usually pretty cute. That baby is adorable. With winter coming fast, I'm not optimistic about the chances of those babies. We had six new fawns in our part of town this year. I'm sure they won't all make it to adulthood. It's sad because this area used to be wooded - we've taken their habitat.
ReplyDeleteThe one in the photo had an attitude.
DeleteI hope that adorable little guy grows fast and gets strong before winter. It will be a close race!
ReplyDeleteThe winter is a close race but there are other things against them like traffic.
DeleteI've never seena jack rabbit that small, its so cute. Hopefully all the wildlife will survive the winter but we knos some won't. Nice close-up photos, Red.
ReplyDeleteThey are usually hidden by the doe right after birth.
DeleteI had only seen baby cottontails and never a jack rabbit, so thanks Red for the photo. i also hope the young ones find warm sleeping quarters as you’ve already had snow.
ReplyDeleteThey stay in the open in a small scrape. They may be in some grass, brush or trees.
Deletethis is wonderful dear Red that you have so many beautiful creatures around you :)
ReplyDeleteyou captured them excellently ,the little rabbit is so cute and i am bit worried for his well being as you said temperature goes in minus
how great that you take long walks in evenings
i do take in my front yard hardly for 15 to 20 minutes but i don't know to how distance i walk
blessings!
We have some critters but unfortunately nothing like it used to be.
DeleteThose Jack Rabbits are really cute, love how you've caught the eye in that last shot and the baby is adorable. I once saw a nest of cotton tail babies in our flower bed and remember being so surprised they were out in the open like that. I enjoyed the photo of the mule deer also. I have seen them on our travels. We have the white tails down here.
ReplyDeleteWe have the odd white tail. The jacks hide their babies right after birth. The little guys will stay in the same place for 10 days.
ReplyDeleteAww the baby Jack rabbits are to cute!! I hope they make it through the winter also.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that you walk 2.5 km regularly. As well as seeing deer and rabbits and your various mistresses, your walks help you to maintain a decent level of fitness. Keep it up Red!
ReplyDeleteI love those Jack Rabbits! That baby is so cute. Sure hope they survive.
ReplyDelete