Learning Through Adventure!

Mister Bigflop Adventure Stories

Origins

We always knew there was a rabbit frequenting our backyard. In the winter we’d see tracks around the bottom of our bird feeder, and some mornings when we headed to the driveway for our daily commute, we’d see his ears sticking up amongst the neighbour’s shrubs.

But before 2020, we never paid that rabbit very much attention. We were busy with the daily grind, and what happened at night while we slept, or during the day while we were at the office, wasn’t top of mind.

During 2020 – when leaving the house became a rare and daunting adventure – we suddenly got to know our resident rabbit. He is, in fact, a whitetailed jackrabbit, more formally known as a prairie hare. It was Easter Sunday when he hopped up to our basement window, and after being deprived of wildlife photography for more than a month, we scrambled to take photos of him. He happily chewed on grass while we blazed away with our long lenses.

Soon we realized he wasn’t alone – a few hares liked to visit our yard. During the winter, they’d graze on seeds that were knocked from our bird feeder, and if the snow was light enough, they’d push it aside to eat grass. During the summer they feasted on dandelions and clover. And because they’re urban hares – the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada equivalent of raccoons – they really didn’t mind us at all.

In fact, one particular hare would hop right up to us, and as the months dragged on, we got to know him – or, at least, a fantastic version of him.

Mister Bigflop is a special hare. He’s curious and clever, thoughtful and brave. He can hop fast and far, and is always willing to help a friend in need. He’s an adventurer who crosses Canada’s vast landscapes, meets all sorts of wild animals, and helps us all learn a little about their behaviors.

And thanks to many months stuck at home, we’ve amassed enough photos to tell his stories.

Photos

All photos appearing in the Mister Bigflop books are original, and have been digitally composited to suit each story. No domesticated or captive animals were photographed, and the wild animals were not lured, fed, or disturbed as part of the photography process.