WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

October 20, 2024

Vol. 2, No. 42

DUNE BUNNIES

Yes, the title is meant to be Dune Bunnies rather than Dune Buggies. Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with bunnies. Certain the brass bunnies my beloved great grandparents brought back from India had magical powers, hours were spent on the floor of their Pittsburg home exploring the world within. After relocating to a senior living facility in Atlanta, my time with the bunnies continued well into my thirties. Perched now on a side table in our family room, they provide an enduring connection to my grandparents.

What do brass bunnies have to do with dune bunnies? Nothing and everything. My husband and I have always enjoyed the beach. Our honeymoon was delayed due to work and financial constraints. Later traveling to Florida for our honeymoon, a hurricane derailed our plans, although we ended up where we were meant to be. Driving south, we found Sanibel Harbor Resort at the edge of the Sanibel Causeway. We returned to the Resort multiple times and eventually ventured to Sanibel and Captiva after our children arrived. But five years ago, a series of devastating weather events began ravaging the area. We eventually found our way to Amelia Island, home to what have become my beloved dune bunnies.

Returning from the first of our dinners during our 31^st anniversary trip this past week, an enormous dune bunny nearly ran us over. It darted past us, leaping over the vegetation below. A closer encounter was impossible due to its speed and because pedestrians cannot venture onto the dunes. But my curiosity continued. Unlike most bunnies, dune bunnies are marsh bunnies, inhabiting areas with ready water access. They are good swimmers as they have less fur and longer nails than cottontails.[2] Although you may be familiar with various cottontail books, marsh bunnies may be new to you unless you have been to their habitats. Books about them are rare so perhaps they will be featured in one of my books.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Take the time to learn about marsh bunnies, and how they differ from cottontails and other types of bunnies. Marsh bunnies walk like a domestic animal. Do you know which one and why? Make a list of similarities and differences between marsh bunnies and cottontails and create a fun project for a child, student, niece, or nephew based on marsh bunnies.

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[1] Copyright October 20, 2024. Winston Weekly is a weekly newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles available at www.baylesconnect.com or by e-mail at baylesconnect@gmail.com. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute. This edition references bunnies as I prefer the term bunnies to rabbits. That said, I love The Rabbit Hole. Haven’t been? Check it out: www.rabbitholekc.org.

[2] Stan Tekiela, Marsh rabbits make a splash in Florida’s wetlands, Eden Prairie Local News, April 1, 2024.