The wettest drought in recent memory continues, but between the showers (and downpours) there have been some moderately calm moments. That was when I came across this small group of young rabbits in the local churchyard. They were reasonably bold, partly because they live right next to a road but mainly because they are young and know no better. I wasn't about to complain though.
On the other side of the pond, a squirrel proved equally cooperative. 
I'll leave the last word to one of the rabbits! 
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
SittingFox
19 Apr 2012:awww: Rabbit kits have a cuteness all their own.
And I'd almost forgotten what tree squirrels look like after spending a month in the land without trees :whistle:
derWandersmann
19 Apr 2012Charming, Words!
gdare
19 Apr 2012The last one is great 😆
derWandersmann
19 Apr 2012Adele, you might encounter a smaller rodent known as the ground squirrel … they are like prairie dogs, but quite a bit smaller, and easily confused with chipmunks. The most common around here is the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. Farmers hate them, because they're always getting into the stored grains, etc. They frequently shoot at them, but seldom hit one. They're much more colourful than the prairie dogs, with a darker back and lighter front.
SittingFox
19 Apr 2012DW, Richardson's ground squirrels are abundant around here; there are supposed to be a few thirteen-lined ground squirrels in the east block of the park, but I don't get over that way very often and haven't seen one. Would like to, though 🙂
Words
20 Apr 2012Adele, it's funny how the focus changes from year to year. I've obviously photographed rabbits before, but this year I seem to be tripping over them. The squirrel was good fun. Very lively and nicely positioned for the camera.
Words
20 Apr 2012dW, thanks!
Words
20 Apr 2012Darko, 😀
derWandersmann
21 Apr 2012Originally posted by Words:
There must be a slight drop in predator numbers this year, then… probably the rabbits overpopulated a year or two before, which encouraged the predators … I don't know the lag time, but obviously the predators found it tough going … some died, some left for other parts . This year's rabbit crop is bigger, because of the relative paucity of predators, and next year's may be big, too … but the predators will be back, never fear … word gets around, you know.
Words
23 Apr 2012dW, yes there are annual fluctuations but I suspect the rabbit/fox populations are fairly stable here. Birds are a very different matter, as are butterflies which exhibit extreme variations across seasons (especially those adapted to single plant varieties).
serola
24 Apr 2012Very cute pics and funny end 😀
derWandersmann
24 Apr 2012😀 You mean the South end of a bunny going North? 😆 😆 😆
Words
25 Apr 2012Sami, thanks!
Words
25 Apr 2012dW, well phrased!
serola
26 Apr 2012Originally posted by derWandersmann:
:yes: