Photog coaxes jackrabbit to pose for picture

Aug. 22, 2009

COMPILED FROM PUNDITTY PROJECT SOURCES

On a recent day hike through Lime Ridge Open Space in Contra Costa County, California, Punditty Project stringer Huck McShannigan spied a jackrabbit about 30 feet off the trail.

Having just purchased a new Nikon Coolpix camera a few days earlier, McShannigan knew that all he had to do was to quietly remove his camera from the backpack without the jackrabbit hopping away. If he could get the camera into position before the jackrabbit moved, he would have -- finally -- an even-money chance of winning the Pulitzer. Or at least TPP photo of the week.

Wise to the ways of jackrabbit medicine, McShannigan made noises not unlike those that would be made by a grown man with absolutely no idea what he was doing - but for the simple fact McShannigan did know what he was doing. The jackrabbit was transfixed by McShannigan's cooing, even as McShannigan began receiving images and wisdom from the collective unconscious of the Lepus californicus oversoul.

"Incredible," a camera-wielding McShannigan realized, "they think 'Harvey' is a true story! And 'Bunny Rabbit' on 'Captain Kangaroo' was the ghostwriter for 'Night of the Lepus.' No wonder that was such a good movie!"

After a perfunctory mindmeld with a disembodied entity representing the animated character earthlings know as "Bugs Bunny," McShannigan got back to the task at hand.

"Hold on there, little feller, I just want to get a couple of snapshots so's I can win that Pulitzer," he thought with telepathic empathy toward the rabbit, whose name, McShannigan learned, is "Ricky." Ricky obeyed willingly, recognizing the that the photographer was, at his essence, more Bugs than Elmer Fudd, more Dr. Doolittle than Sarah Palin, more humble visitor seeking a memento of the magical encounter than paparazzo seeking a quick payday from the National Harequier for a candid shot.

McShannigan, Ricky realized, was not out to roast him on a spit. He tilted his head and flaunted his ears at ideal angles, then, after McShannigan sent "word" he was done via a few noises that only jackrabbits can interpret, Ricky hopped away, ready to tell his buddies at the local watering hole all about his strange encounter with a human who thought in rabbit images and spake with rabbit tongue.

Learn more about jackrabbits here.

Learn more about interspecies communication here.

Buy the excellent Steve Forbert CD "Jackrabbit Slim" here.

Learn more about the Punster of Dittenshire here.

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