Here one of my "buddies" feels the anxiety of my infringing on its comfort zone and drops its ears to reduce the body profile. A simple function of self preservation in a land where predators lurk both on the ground and in the sky. Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 400mm F5.6L handheld.
The black-tailed jack rabbit, (Lepus californicus) , is a creature that defined some of the memories I have retained from growing up on a ranch in the Texas rolling plains. As a small boy riding over the badlands along the Brazos river I never tired of seeing these fleet footed creatures dash suddenly from their hiding place and scurry off into the distance, always with their head held high and maintaining that gallop so defining of this wild hare of the rolling plains.
A few years ago I was driving out near our old home place and noticed an incredible number of adult jackrabbits lounging around on the buffalo and arrow grass flats. Taking my camera along on later trips I soon gained the confidence of almost every rabbit occupying a small sector of the pasture and was soon walking around them shooting photos as they ate, slept, and lounged. All summer I returned from time to time and visited with my big eared friends, eager to see if perhaps I could gain more insight into the lifeway of this iconic creature.
By winter they had almost all dispersed from the area and I was left alone with only my memories of Sue, Jack and a host of other wild hares whose names I have now forgotten.
Enjoy these intimate moments shared with me by a pair of black-tailed jackrabbits in their natural environment in the rolling plains of Texas.
The Jack Rabbit's large ears are quite effective in the function of heat dispersal and superior hearing ability. Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 400mmF5.6L lens handheld.
Great pictures of the Jack Rabbits. Brought back many great memories of growing up on the Salt Fork of the Brazos on the Baylor.Knox Counties line. I never had a dog fast or skilled enough to catch one. Keep up the great photography.
always been a great admirer of your work.very tasteful and beautiful.
fifth generation Texan myself. grew up in dallas , moved to Alaska
in 1982.but , i was smart enough to buy a well watered rural property in
Freestone county. best of luck to you sir.
This reminds me of my days on the farm @ McAdoo, TX.when I was a child. (50-60′s) We lived about 1/4 mile from the canyon rim North of McAdoo. Saw many animals, especially the J. Rabbits, there was a large herd of antelope then as well as eagles, bob cats, and so on. Your photography is wonderful! God has given you a special gift. Thank you for sharing.
Michael,
I think this quote says it all.
“I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world, the best land
and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here.” Davy Crockett
Compliments of your work are as common as wild pig tracks in Texas, but I’ll say it anyway, “You are very, very good at what you do…and deserving”. Your palet is the size of TEXAS. You’re a very fortunate man to have live the life you have led. I hope you’re around for a long, long time and I’m here for a long, long time to enjoy more of your work or should I say pleasure?