As a wildlife photographer, I always get excited when wild animals visit my backyard. This spring I was thrilled to discover a young Cottontail Rabbit living under my deck here in Arkansas. Observing this lone Cottontail’s growth has been an amazing experience.
Healthy Young Cottontail Rabbit In My Yard Here In Arkansas
When I first noticed the rabbit, it was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, with soft fur just beginning to grow in. Over the summer, I’ve been keeping tabs on this little Cottontail and capturing photos of it regularly. It’s been remarkable to see the rabbit grow from a tiny bunny into an active juvenile nearly full grown.
As you can see in the photo above, the Cottontail’s fur has filled out into a thick, soft coat that blends into the grass perfectly. It looks very healthy, with no visible injuries or ticks that I can notice. The rabbit has become quite comfortable under the deck, emerging frequently to nibble on grass and explore the yard.
Getting to observe this wild young rabbit up close as it grows has been a special treat. Cottontails often remain hidden, so having one choose my deck as its home base has allowed me an inside look at its development I wouldn’t normally get. I feel lucky to host this lone rabbit and will continue posting updates as it reaches adult size. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about my deck’s resident cotton ball!
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Lens: Canon EF 800 mm f/11Â
Technical:
- Location: Lavaca (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: June 3, 2021 (5:29 P. M.)
- Aperture: f11
- Shutter speed: 1/250
- ISO: 2500 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 800 mm
