I often see cottontail rabbits in my backyard here in Lavaca, Arkansas. Most of the time they look healthy and alert, but every now and then I notice something harsher, a tick attached where I cannot help but see it.
This young rabbit caught my attention because of the large swollen tick on the side of its face. It is the kind of detail that makes me stop, watch, and wonder what daily life is like for the wildlife living right outside my door.
Wildlife Notes
Cottontail rabbit ticks in a backyard setting
Cottontail rabbits are a regular part of backyard wildlife in my area. They move through the grass, pause near cover, and often feed in the open early in the day. In this case, the rabbit also carried a tick that was easy to see from a distance.
A few years earlier, I photographed a baby cottontail with a tick on the back of its head in my backyard. You can see that earlier sighting here: Cottontail Rabbit With A Tick. That one seemed easier to explain because the spot looked hard to reach. This newer sighting stood out more because the tick was attached to the side of the face, where it looked like the rabbit might be able to scratch it off. I do not know why it remained there, so I want to be careful not to overstate the reason.
What I can say is simple. Ticks seem to be a recurring problem for some of the cottontails I see in my yard. That does not make for an easy photo, but it is an honest look at the challenges wild animals face in a suburban setting.
Photography Notes
I made this photo in Lavaca, Arkansas, during the morning light. I wanted a tight composition that kept the rabbit’s face sharp while still showing enough of the surroundings to feel natural. The image works because the subject is appealing at first glance, but the tick adds a harder truth about life in the backyard.
I photographed the rabbit from a respectful distance with a long lens. That gave me a close view without pushing the animal. Soft morning light helped hold detail in the fur and face, even with the high ISO.
Camera Settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Location: Lavaca, Arkansas
- Date Taken: September 6, 2023
- Time Taken: 8:35 A.M.
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/7.1
- Shutter Speed: 1/800
- ISO: 12800 Auto
- Exposure Compensation: +0.3
- Focal Length: 500mm
Final Thoughts
I enjoy seeing cottontail rabbits in my backyard, but scenes like this remind me that even familiar wildlife deals with constant stress. A tick may seem small, but on a young rabbit it becomes part of the story right away.
That is one reason I keep photographing the animals around me. Backyard wildlife can be beautiful, but it is also real, imperfect, and sometimes uncomfortable. I want my photos to show both sides.