Monday, July 2, 2007
Baby Bunny Adventures
Whew - the temps here (So. Arizona) are forecasted to reach up to 114 degrees this week . . .! With temps like that - our backyard with all it’s grass, trees, flowers, bushes & two fountains - tends to be a haven for little the bunnies & birds. - Although we have had a few bobcats & even one young mountain lion! - (breathtakingly beautiful & yet scary with a little pup!)
This time of year - one of the things I love see - are the baby bunnies. I thought that we might not see any this year - with Bailey - the “fierce protector” from any critters in “his” yard - but the little buns have returned. . . ever watching for the big fluffy pup. . . (that can never catch them). They just can’t resist the grassy oasis.
So, the other day - as I was sitting at my desk - working on invoices & orders, I glanced up & saw this sweet little one -
- huddled close to the side wall - in the shade. He was so cute (& tiny - about the size of your hand!) - I just had to run to my bedroom to get my camera.
As I was grabbing my camera - I glanced out my bedroom window (the rooms are right next to each other) , & on the other side of the bush the little bun was next to, I saw. . . this! . . . eeeeek!. . . & he (I am assuming. . . ) was about the size of the little bun!
(It was like Animal Planet. . . right outside my window!)
I was honestly quite nervous about what might happen - as we have many kinds of lizards here in Arizona. . . & some of them are meat eating. . . (OH!!!!!) So I was ready to pound on windows & scare the little bugger if needed - but I was awe-struck over watching this little event.
Within a minute the lizard started to move. . .
making his way around the bush. . . (yes. . . right to the other side - where the little bun was!)
I must admit. . . I was doing a lot of holding my breath at this point. I didn’t know what would happen if the lizard saw the little bun. . . but - the little bun didn’t run - so I waited & watched. . . (& snapped away!)
As I watched I realized that the lizard was looking for food. . . but not the bunny kind. . . but rather the berry kind. . . He picked up one of the pyracantha berries that were scattered on the ground. . . did a little show of pumping (like little push-ups) for the little bun. . . & then he made his way off. (Notice the little bun is noticing his tasty treat?)
So, as the lizard bids farewell. . . (& I start to breathe again!) our little bun thinks about what he (she?) just saw. . .
. . . & not wanting the old berries on the ground. . . goes on a little bunny snack hunt. . .
. . . & finds the source of fresh, sweet berries!
I was such a treat to watch. . . (well, after I knew the bunny was not in harms way). . . but it reminded me of how this is really their territory - it’s just us humans that have built our houses & staked our “claims” amidst their habitat. I’m just so glad they love our little yard & hope they continue to visit. (Well. . . maybe not the mountain lion.)
I hope that you find your own wonder in the nature around you - whatever form it takes!
(note: As I sit here finishing off this post. . . guess who has come back? The little bun is back - & has brought a another little bunny buddy! . . . & they are frolicking away. Maybe I need to re-think the fact that I call this “my” yard! )
