Christina Michelle Photography

The Leaning Tree Acres bunnies have been invited to take part in a couple of kids' spring photo shoots with photographer, Christina Michelle!



We had a wonderful time! All of the children and all of the bunnies did fantastic, and we look forward to doing this again in the future!

Wild Bunnies

I hope that Wildlife Hotline doesn't mind if I share this with you. Here at Leaning Tree Acres, we receive weekly phone calls regarding what to do when baby bunnies are found. They have done a fantastic job, so I'm simply going to share a link to their site:

Found a Baby Bunny?

The Legend of Captain Danvers

© 2012 by Stacy Christian

The Legend of Captain Danvers 

Listen close and I’ll tell you the tale

Of Danvers, the pirate Captain,

Of how he made his foes do his will,

And how thoroughly he tricked them.

He wore a silk coat, as black as night,

A plume on the brim of his hat.

His boots thumped on the deck of the ship,

And when he spoke, well, that was that.

His crew was a surly pack of dogs.

His first mate, one Mister Lendri.

Together they ruled the amber waves

In their ship, The Collar’d Lady.

For years, they terrorized hill and vale,

Burnt villages down to embers,

And as they hauled their loot out of town,

People would gasp, “It was Danvers!”

Finally one day, to stop the scourge,

The people struck him a bargain:

To Danvers they’d tithe from field and farm,

But ‘specially from the garden.

They stocked his ship’s hold with produce ripe.

His logic: “To stave off scurvy.”

His crew refused to argue with him,

They’d rather eat veg than go hungry.

This would have gone on for years, I’m told,

Except there was a mutiny,

Begun by a fateful night visit

To his captain by Mr. Lendri.

He’d entered the room without a knock,

A thing that was not his habit,

Discovered his captain quite hatless,

And learned Danvers was a Rabbit!

 *extra Cudos if you "get" the Danvers reference without googling it. =:)

Hollands!

Allow me to introduce our two new additions: Basil and Coriander, Holland Lops from Summersfield Bunnies.

Mattie's #OB, aka "Basil", Tort buck, DOB 5/26/12

Mattie's #L1, aka "Coriander", Broken Tort doe, DOB 4/6/12

We intend this to be the start of our Holland Lop program. Watch for our first litter sometime this fall!

ANDRC Nationals 2012

As this was my first year attending the Netherland Dwarf Nationals, I'm afraid that I did not do a very good job at photo documentation. I was too star struck by all of the gorgeous bunnies and talented breeders to keep a cohesive thought in my head, much less take more than random shots. Never mind notes about what I was shooting.

Rabbit breeders are brilliant (if slightly crazy), and I met some amazing people and came away with some great ideas.
Being a runner during the show (fetching rabbits for the judges) was fun and gave me a legitimate excuse to put my hands on other people's rabbits, if only for a moment. I can only dream that someday my stock will feel as nice as some of those did.
I never thought I'd see a rabbit sell for over $800, but the auction on Saturday night was thrilling and I am happy for the club and the members who participated.
It may seem silly, but one of the best parts about attending Nationals was simply being in a place where having shavings on your shirt and zip ties sticking out of your pocket was normal.

Indoor Plumbing, take 2*

Months ago, I promised to post the plans and progress photos from when we built our second hanging cage/flush system. I'm finally getting around to it now, even though it has been in use for 4 months now.

It would be a bit tricky to post plans, but I'll try to at least give you an idea of what we did. Of course, these plans assume that you are buying/building cages that are the same size as ours, which are 24"w x 16"d x 12"h.

It seems a little backwards, but start with the height of the bucket that you plan to use on the bottom, and work your way up. Our bucket was 13" tall, so I wanted the bottom of the lower gutter to be just over 13" from the floor. The gutter is 3" deep, so the left end was secured at 16" from the bottom. It slants up 2", so that the right end is 18" from the bottom. Below is a picture of the right hand end without flashing or cages, for reference.

Next comes the supports for the flashing. They are electrical conduit, running the width of the frame and are attached to the frame horizontally with 1/2" brackets. The one in front is 20 1/2 inches from the bottom (on center), and the one in back is at 24" (on center). This gives the flashing a 6" slope from back to front. The lower row of cages is hung using conduit bars running the depth of the frame through the same type of 1/2" brackets from a support that is 41" (top edge) from the bottom of the unit.

For the upper level, we did our math from the top down. The cages are suspended from the bottom side of the supports at the top. The back piece of conduit is 17" down (on center), and the front piece of conduit is 21 1/2" down (on center. The top edge right end of the gutter sits just below the front conduit, at 22". It slopes down to the left 2", so the left end is secured at 24" from the top.

There is also a center support, and horizontal supports on each end (at 36" down from the top).

Now for plans, to try to make sense of it all. From someone who can't draw...this should be good.

The left end will mirror the right end, with one difference. Each gutter will be secured 2" lower than it's opposite end. So, the bottom will be at 16" (measuring up), and the top will be at 24" (measuring down).
The entire wood unit is 72" tall and 9'9" wide, to accommodate 10' gutters. This left plenty of space for a center support, as well as space between each cage and at both ends. It is 21" deep, including the width of the 2x4's on front and back. This unit is 2" deeper than the first one that we built, and I like it better.

 End supports

 Middle of back, with angle supports to prevent twisting

 Close up of right side, back--we had to add pieces to the legs in order to secure the angle braces on the same depth as the top and middle.

Front of completed wood frame

 Conduit, gutter, and support for flashing in place--I recycled some pieces of corrugated plastic, and zip tied it in place to help support the flashing.

Vinyl flashing in place--once the cages were hung, I secured the flashing to the back of the cages with a couple of zip ties also.

My favorite tool for cleaning now is a 2 gallon pump garden sprayer. It's like having a mini power washer to hose the flashing and gutters off, even daily if I want to do so.

If this makes no sense at all, please let me know. Construction was months ago, and I'm afraid the process is a bit fuzzy in my brain now.
*Do you know how tempting it was to be naughty with the title of this post?

Illinois NDSC Summer Fun Triple Show

What a great day for a show! We could not have had better weather if we had paid for it--mid 70s, sunny, light breeze--perfect.
There were over 100 rabbits entered and most of them made me want to come home, sell everything in my rabbitry and start over. There were some absolutely stunning animals there--including a few really beautiful rabbits for sale. I am happy to report that I resisted temptation...for once, and came home with the same number with which I left.
It was also a treat to see a few of the Champagne project rabbits brought by Pam Jones. I wish everyone on the COD the best of luck. When they finally are granted approval, they will be a magnificent color variety.

When I got home, I realized that there were several people that I did not get pictures of. I'll try to do better next time.

Results from June 12 Illinois Netherland Dwarf Specialty Club summer triple show

Open show #1, judge Pam Jones
Best of Breed: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Buck
Best Opposite Sex: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Sr Doe

Self
Best of Group: Deb Owens, REW Sr Buck, no opposite
Shaded
Best of Group: Mark Jacobs, Siam. Sable Jr Doe,
Best opposite: Becky Skirvin, Siam. Sable Sr Buck
Agouti
Best of Group: Sarah Zins, Chestnut Sr Doe
Best opposite: Deb Owens, Chestnut Sr Buck
Tan Pattern
Best of Group: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Jr Buck
Best opposite: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Sr Doe
AOV
Best of Group: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Buck
Best opposite: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Doe

Youth Show #1, judge Pam Jones
Best of Breed: Taylor,Tanner & Kaycee Baird, Siam. Sable Sr Doe
Best Opposite Sex: Lisa Wendel, Otter Sr Buck
Self
Best of Group: Mikayla & Katie Martin, Black Sr Buck, no opposite
Shaded
Best of Group: Taylor,Tanner & Kaycee Baird, Siam. Sable Sr Doe
Best opposite: Mark Hazard, Siam. Sable Sr Buck
Agouti
Best of Group: Dru Dahman, Chestnut Jr Doe
Best opposite: Dru Dahman, Opal Jr Buck
Tan Pattern
Best of Group: Lisa Wendel, Otter Sr Buck
Best opposite: Mikayla & Katie Martin, Otter Sr Doe
AOV
Best of Group: Mark Hazard, Himi Sr Buck
Best opposite: Joey Dierdorf, Himi Sr Doe

Open show #2, judge Donyelle Schultz
Best of Breed: Laura Wendel, Otter Sr Buck
Best Opposite Sex: Mark Jacobs, Siam. Sable Jr Doe

Self
Best of Group: Mark Jacobs, REW Jr Buck, no opposite
Shaded
Best of Group: Mark Jacobs, Siam. Sable Jr Doe,
Best opposite: Mark Jacobs, Sable Point Sr Buck
Agouti
Best of Group: Deb Owens, Chestnut Sr Buck
Best opposite: Deb Owens, Chestnut Sr Doe
Tan Pattern
Best of Group: Laura Wendel, Otter Sr Buck
Best opposite: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Sr Doe
AOV
Best of Group: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Buck
Best opposite: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Doe

Youth Show #2, judge Donyelle Schultz
Best of Breed: Dru Dahman, Opal Jr Buck
Best Opposite Sex: Taylor,Tanner & Kaycee Baird, Siam. Sable Sr Doe
Self
Best of Group: Mikayla & Katie Martin, Black Sr Buck, no opposite
Shaded
Best of Group: Taylor,Tanner & Kaycee Baird, Siam. Sable Sr Doe
Best opposite: Britt Bookwalter, Siam. Sable Jr Buck
Agouti
Best of Group: Dru Dahman, Opal Jr Buck
Best opposite: Britt Bookwalter, Chestnut Sr Doe
Tan Pattern
Best of Group: Mikayla & Katie Martin, Otter Sr Buck
Best opposite: Britt Bookwalter, Smoke Pearl Marten Sr Doe
AOV
Best of Group: Mark Hazard, Himi Sr Buck
Best opposite: Joey Dierdorf, Himi Sr Doe

Open show #3, judge Jeremy Watmuff
Best of Breed: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Buck
Best Opposite Sex: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Sr Doe

Self
Best of Group: Deb Owens, REW Jr Buck,
Best opposite: Sarah Zins, REW Sr Doe
Shaded
Best of Group: Mark Jacobs, Siam. Sable Jr Doe,
Best opposite: Becky Skirvin, Siam. Sable Sr Buck
Agouti
Best of Group: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Chestnut Sr Buck
Best opposite: Sarah Zins, Chestnut Sr Doe
Tan Pattern
Best of Group: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Jr Buck
Best opposite: Wayne & Twila Coffey, Otter Sr Doe
AOV
Best of Group: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Buck
Best opposite: Reynolds/Morgan, Himi Sr Doe

Youth Show #3, judge Jeremy Watmuff
Best of Breed: Lisa Wendel, Otter Sr Buck
Best Opposite Sex: Taylor,Tanner & Kaycee Baird, Siam. Sable Sr Doe
Self
Best of Group: Mikayla & Katie Martin, Black Sr Buck, no opposite
Shaded
Best of Group: Taylor,Tanner & Kaycee Baird, Siam. Sable Sr Doe
Best opposite: Joey Dierdorf, Siam. Sable Sr Buck
Agouti
Best of Group: Dru Dahman, Chestnut Jr Doe
Best opposite: Dru Dahman, Opal Jr Doe
Tan Pattern
Best of Group: Lisa Wendel, Otter Sr Buck
Best opposite: Dru Dahman, Sable Marten Sr Doe
AOV
Best of Group: Mark Hazard, Himi Sr Buck
Best opposite: Mikayla & Katie Martin, Himi Sr Doe