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Several rabbits live in some of the backyards in our neighborhood. They are skittish due to all of the backyard activities and the presence of dogs in several
backyards. I have tried to photograph them but they take off as soon as I go outside or come around the side of the house.
A couple of times when I have been mowing they have let me get much closer than they usually do. This gave me an idea. I was mowing recently and a rabbit was in
the back yard.
I got my camera and lens, slung it over my shoulder and grabbed a cord to tie the mower control bar in the on position. As I approached the rabbit with the mower, he held his ground. When I got fairly close, I tied the mower in the on position, took my camera and took a photo. Then I moved closer and did it again. I repeated this process as I got closer and closer. I knew a ground level shot would be more effective. I could kneel down beside the mower, but when I started to lay down on the ground the rabbit took off.
I now have a new photographic blind, at least for my own back yard.
The rabbits have grown used to mowing so they allow me to get much closer with a running lawn mower than without. By the way, the minute I turn off the mower, they run away.
Now if I could just get my neighbors to periodically lie down next to their lawn mowers, the rabbits would think that is normal and I could get a better angle on
future shots. Animals almost always look better when you photograph them from THEIR eye level, rather than your own.
June 12, 2003
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