Why did I bother to turn white.

[Trent Watts]

White-tailed jackrabbits are quite commonly seen in our city. Their summer coat is brown and as the days shorten it turns to white in the late fall. This is normally a good thing for camouflage to help avoid predation. This year we are experiencing an unusual stretch of above average temperatures, hovering around the freezing point, with no snow. We would normally have a foot or so of snow by now but it is completely bare. Here is a rabbit from this year and one from last year.

 

[AlanLichty]

Hope that rabbit survives until the snow flies. This doesn't appear to be a genetic adaptation that favors survival if we experience more climate events that rewrite our averages.

 

[Trent Watts]

Hope that rabbit survives until the snow flies. This doesn't appear to be a genetic adaptation that favors survival if we experience more climate events that rewrite our averages.

Right you are Alan.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

I really like your second image. The pose and the white on white really works well.

 

[larryj]

White-tailed jackrabbits are quite commonly seen in our city. Their summer coat is brown and as the days shorten it turns to white in the late fall. This is normally a good thing for camouflage to help avoid predation. This year we are experiencing an unusual stretch of above average temperatures, hovering around the freezing point, with no snow. We would normally have a foot or so of snow by now but it is completely bare. Here is a rabbit from this year and one from last year.

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Nice shots and comparison Trent, thanks for sharing!
We have snow shoe rabbits in our neck of the woods that do much the same going from brown in the summer to white in winter. although snow shoe rabbits are very large and can really move across the snow.

 

[KevinA]

Great shots Trent showing the wonders of mother nature.

 

[JimFox]

Wow Trent. That's amazing! It's so interesting how they change from brown to white. I hope you get some snow soon so that poor rabbit doesn't feel too out of place.

 

[BlackRockArt]

White-tailed jackrabbits are quite commonly seen in our city. Their summer coat is brown and as the days shorten it turns to white in the late fall. This is normally a good thing for camouflage to help avoid predation. This year we are experiencing an unusual stretch of above average temperatures, hovering around the freezing point, with no snow. We would normally have a foot or so of snow by now but it is completely bare. Here is a rabbit from this year and one from last year.

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Trent, this is really cool, I didn't know the fur change, nicely shot!

Oliver

 

[MonikaC]

The coat on the 1st one is absolutely iridescent!

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Great photos as always, Trent. The ones that don't turn white as quickly will have a better chance of survival so adaptation in the species continues. Hopefully, of course, there is enough time for adaptation. I do prefer last year's photo.