Winter Cottontail
Rabbit II This watercolor focuses on a cottontail
rabbit in its typical native. I especially enjoy trying to capture
with delicate watercolor the many colors of "white" created by sunlight
on snow crystals. The Eastern Cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus,
can be found in meadows and shrubby areas in the eastern, midwestern,
and southwestern United States, southern Canada, eastern Mexico, Central
America and northernmost South America. Cottontails require a large
mix of habitats, and to the concern of fruit and vegetable growers,
densely planted orchards and gardens. Rabbits need a good supply of
food and cover throughout the year.
Winter is the most critical time period for rabbits. When they have
to forage far, they become vulnerable to predation. The rate of exposure
increases when snow covers the ground because the cottontail does
not turn white in winter, as does its larger cousin the snowshoe hare.
If snowfall is persistent, rabbits must shift from tall grasses and
other herbaceous foods to agricultural crops and woody foods such
as raspberry twigs, stems of wild rose, greenbriar, and the bark of
sumac. The original watercolor,
presented in a 1.5" wide dark blue and grey lined wood frame (double
matted pebbled grey on dark blue with an outer dimension of 14" x
16"), is available for $995.00. Limited edition prints and note cards
are also available.
Click here for availability
and price. |