The Trefoil Muse

We have undergone seasonal changes on the prairie.  Snow finally fell to coat the land.  It was a welcomed sight.  The fall season has been mild this year – dry and windy without much moisture.  This has made life for the smaller prairie animals easier than in prior years as they are able to forage uninhibited by deep snow.

The jack rabbits have been extremely prolific.  There are dozens of them careening across the landscape camouflaged in their new winter apparel of white.  They move in large groups like snowballs with legs as they bound across the land imitating the whirling drifting swathes of snow.

Some of them like to race, zigging and zagging along the edge of the road at 35 mph.  They are flexible, their agility saving them more often than not from an untimely demise under vehicle tires. If they zig when they should zag, they become fodder for hungry scavengers happy for an easy meal.

The jack rabbits blend into the winter environment easily now that their coats have turned white.  It takes a keen set of eyes to spot them when they stand frozen and alert atop the snow covered horizon where they listen attentively for predators lying in wait for them.  Jack rabbits need to be aware of the dangers lurking about them.

Not all danger abounds on land.  Above, another creature has changed colors with the season.  It perches above proudly displaying its white plumage as its wise eyes scan the prairie to find a rabbit to bring home for lunch.

And so, the circle of life continues as the seasons change on the prairie.