Every spring we are entertained to see a couple cottontail rabbits running around in the backyard. They live under a giant spreading yew bush that nestles against our deck. Over time, I have made peace with the bunnies.

Despite a continual attack on our flowers– impatiens, tulips, pansies, zinnias– I have come to accommodate their presence. They are fun to watch. A ritual or game they play involves a constant chase of tag on the lawn. After a couple rounds, one will back into a corner, and egg the other one on to attack. So bidden, the aggressor runs toward the other like a cross-checking hockey player. The defender jumps straight up like a jack in the box. Then they start the tag game again.

In the spring we get additional surprises. For the past two years I have cleared away the mulch around our rose bushes and have uncovered a little nest of tiny furry bunnies huddled together, absorbing the morning sun’s warmth. Cute as a button. Over the next weeks their numbers decrease from four down to one as Mother Nature starts pulling strings.

The bunnies were not always welcome. After they clear-cut a set of zinnias, they provoked me to build a fence around my garden. Next morning I came out to inspect, and found they had chewed a door through the fence. I put up another fence. Another door. Finally a steel fence, and security was restored. Despite their attacks, I give them space because of their entertainment, and because Jane, my wife likes them around.

So, I have taken the extra step of befriending these furry chums. Walking out onto the deck, at any time of day, I may find a bunny contentedly nibbling away at our lawn. They never run. I think they are confident I could never catch them, which is true. So, doubling down on their casualness, I strike up a conversation. One-sided but an attempt. My logic is that the more they hear me talking to them, the more relaxed they are in my presence. So far, I have been right. Not sure what the neighbors think.

This spring we were further surprised to find we had three fully grown rabbits playing tag. That begged the question: Siblings? Cousins? Mates? Philanderers? The possibilities of a triangle of relationships came to mind. But still, we were just entertained to see that three had emerged from the deck’s protection over last winter.

Yesterday, while mowing the lawn, I found this year’s litter. It was not under the roses, but dug into the side of a hill by the moraine locust tree in our backyard. A small grey patch appeared where I was pushing the lawn mower. Looking closer, I found a hole, carefully covered with a layer of downy rabbit fur. Aha! A new brood! Now I know what those full grown bunnies have been up to!

This morning, we were again stunned. Out came another bunny from the yew bush, about the size of a teacup. Nibbling on the grass, and rolling in the sand pile they have created for morning ablutions. Wow! A small bunny..but wait…another one follows, also cup-sized! Two teenagers!

Now where did they come from?

In the next few weeks I will be planting our flowers. We’ll see how long they last.