New Zealand/Lop Rabbits

Parsley in Protective Custody

| Flower Roberts

My parsley plant started disappearing again.

Last time this happened, I found a little striped Black Swallowtail caterpillar munching on it.

IMG_1279

After a few days it crawled up on the Passion vine, changed shape,

IMG_1292

formed a chrysalis, and disappeared.

IMG_1417

This time though, I could not find the culprit.

Each day the plant got smaller and smaller.

Ah Ha!  I finally caught the bandit in action.

No Black Swallowtail this go-round.

It was a black New Zealand Lop rabbit, Charlotte.

IMG_4664

The plant has been moved out of reach of Miss Munchie.

IMG_4905

She was out there searching for her snack this morning.

IMG_4936

Whew! These rabbits keep me hopping.

FLOWER

Bugs and Bunnies

| Flower Roberts

I am surrounded by cuteness.

Most people think bunnies are cute,

IMG_2586
Charlotte and Barley. My New Zealand/Lop rabbits.

but I think bugs are also cute.

IMG_2565
Baby Mantis on Eucomis

I think it is precious that something so tiny is busy doing its job in the garden.

IMG_2567

The bunnies, however, do not seem the least bit concerned

IMG_2583

with doing anything productive.

IMG_2572

I guess when you are that cute, you don’t need to concern yourself with a purpose.

IMG_2588

I guess their cuteness is their purpose.

I wish I were that cute!

FLOWER/Bunny Stalker

Evidence of a Stalker

| Flower Roberts

While searching through my many files for a certain photo,

I noticed a disturbing trend.

Someone has been using my camera to take hundreds of photos of a certain two individuals.

There are pictures of them eating, lounging, cuddling and even using the toilet.

What was even more disturbing is that there is an inordinate number of closeups of their backsides.

Whoever is doing this is obviously obsessed with these two and has a booty fetish.

I am looking into the issue and gathering evidence.

I am pretty sure I know who the perpetrator is, but I won’t divulge her identity.

Bunny Mommy

| Flower Roberts

If you think it’s difficult to get a Christmas photo with children in it,

you need to try it with bunnies.

img_8117

Barley took to the hat without complaint.

img_8115

He also likes to be held, so this part of the photo-shoot went easily.

img_8114

Then there was Charlotte.

img_8118

The first photos had to be redone, because I left the photo card in the computer.

The repeat performance was even more lively than the first.

img_8121

She bit her hat and then climbed me like a tree.

img_8124

No blood was shed, so I consider this a success.

These two are such fun.

They are a lot of work, but worth every bit, or should I say bite?

img_8111

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

FLOWER/Bunny Mommy

Busy and Not Busy

| Flower Roberts

I don’t have to look to know who is Busy and who is Not Busy in the bunny yard.

Where ever I hear noise, I know I will see a blur of black fur.

IMG_6358

Then I must peer under things to find my barley brown bunny,

rabbits,Cheraw, Portland, Blog 229

quietly napping or watching the trees.

rabbits,Cheraw, Portland, Blog 245

Charlotte is usually on the move or moving dirt.

Charlotte digging 024

Barley can be found quietly meditating.

IMG_9448

Usually, they only spend time together while eating

IMG_7189

or snuggling.

rabbits,Cheraw, Portland, Blog 063

But one day Not Busy made the mistake of napping too close to Busy during an excavation.

Charlotte digging 010

Busy dug dirt and kicked it behind her.  Not Busy got dirty.

Charlotte digging 021

Busy bulldozed dirt away from the excavation site.

Charlotte digging 015

 

Not Busy began to disappear under the soil.

Charlotte digging 004

Busy disappeared into the hole.

Charlotte digging 023

Busy continues working. Not Busy continues meditating.

Charlotte digging 007

They both stopped to pose for a picture. I think he’s smiling.

FLOWER fills in lots of holes.

Bunnies out, Bulbs up

| Flower Roberts

I have been telling folks that my bunnies are as big as the neighbors’ beagle. Now I have a photo to prove it. Thankfully, I had my camera with me photographing bulbs when this encounter went down.

IMG_8142
Charlotte standing her ground.
IMG_8145
Barley. To dig or not to dig? That is the question.
IMG_8133
Alberto Costello Starflower
IMG_8119
Anemone blanda

I spent every day last week sliding up and down the hills on cardboard.

No, not for amusement!     I’ve been digging weeds.

Spring is just around the corner in NC.  Wait for it………

Follow the Flower to spring.

Wild Hare

| Flower Roberts

There has been a new development with the bunnies.

As I exited my workshop this morning, I heard chewing noises coming from under my work table outside the door.

I bent down to to see which bunny was under there. To my surprise, I saw neither. I paused and heard the sounds again.

This time I looked into the shelves. Guess who…

IMG_7269

Miss Busy Bee was up in the shelves snooping through my gardening supplies.

If this is rabbit adolescence, I’m going to need some back-up.

Just this morning I had to provide separate “toilets” because one of them insisted on doing their business BESIDE the litter box.  Now,  there are separate but equal facilities.

IMG_7280

What next?

Don’t follow this Flower.

 

Bunnies in the Doghouse

| Flower Roberts

Things are finally returning to normal in the bunny room. I sent them both outside while I cleaned out the “nest” today.

IMG_7263

I watched them as they came in to see Charlotte’s reaction. She seemed to have forgotten the frenzy.  After checking the room to inspect my cleaning, she lay down in her usual spot in front of the door.

IMG_7265

 

Barley got reacquainted with the litter box.

IMG_7264

But… All is not well.

While moving the treadmill to its new location, a discovery was made.

Bunnies must chew, you see. I apparently did not provide enough fruit-wood sticks at some point.  Teething continues, sticks or no sticks.

I had removed the plug-in cord from the treadmill, but had failed to notice a loop projecting ever so slightly out the bottom. This loop was not missed by the keen eyes of the bunnies.

IMG_7260

 

I went out yesterday and got myself new gloves and a quick-dry scarf.  I guess I’ll be doing my walking outside until the cord is ordered and replaced.

Walk with the cold Flower.