Monday morning I finally caught sight of a black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) that has made a home in the preserved wetlands in front of our office.

I was out walking on the path around the wetland area when I noticed something moving.

It is hard to see the jackrabbit as it really blends in with the brush, especially as the coloring is so close to the same.

I saw the rabbit hopping across the open area and was able to get some better pictures.

Here the rabbit was not too far from me and I got a good shot showing the black tail and the large erect ears.

This jackrabbit species is quite large and can grow up to two feet long with a weight up to six pounds.

I like the wetlands that we walk through to get to the door of the office each day as there a lot of birds living there. You have to be careful as they sometime fly low to the ground. I really enjoy their song each day.

It was cool to see the jackrabbit this week and I will continue to watch out for them and other small animals. I am sure there are others hiding in the brush. I do know that there are mice and lizards as I have seen them.

I am actually surprised the neighborhood wild turkeys have not been visiting, but perhaps it is just out of their range.

Steven