We noticed, about a month ago, that a rabbit appeared to have taken up residence in our backyard. There was ample evidence with rabbit droppings in abundance, and an obvious nestling curve in the richness of the snowpack under the bare-branched shrubs at the very back of the garden in front of the back fence separating our property from our neighbours' behind us.

We also noted that there were fresh, neat little cuts on the burning bush directly over those nesting spots and the plenitude of droppings nearby. A few times we set out small carrots, hoping they would sustain the rabbit's appetite. We also saw, over the succeeding weeks, that the rabbit's appetite extended to the smaller of our two magnolia trees, and to another few bushes whose constituent nutrients were obviously appealing to its palate.

Decades ago, one of several dwarf apple trees we had planted when we had recently moved into what was then our 'new house', had been denuded of its bark, in a perfect circle just above the snow line. The tree survived for many years despite that damage impacting on its ability to send sap up into its top regions, to our great surprise. Then one late summer when it was heavy with beautiful ripening apples, it suddenly toppled in a great windy rainstorm, right at the place where the rabbits had nibbled it to a slow death.

I don't really mind what this rabbit is doing to the shrubs; they're mature, and I figure they could lose a few twigs and slight branches here and there. Besides, the rabbit needs to survive the dearth of food available to it in a cold, harsh winter.

Last night, just before we went up to bed, the downward side of midnight, we glanced out at the front porch. Hardly expecting to see any of the squirrels and the variety of birds that visit us so regularly. And we didn't see any of them, of course.

On the other hand, we did see the rabbit, perched comfortably on the wide ledge that tops the porch banister, amid all the seeds and nuts. Nibbling at this and that. But indicating his true preference when he hopped off the porch, landing on the snowpack directly under the larger of our two magnolias. We watched as he stretched his not-inconsiderable length to reach a small overhanging twig, and swiftly incised it from its mother branch, to sit busily afterward, munching it to the rabbit's obvious satisfaction.

Ours too, grateful for the little bit of wildlife theatre we're exposed to. Pity it was too dark for any pictures. We felt we couldn't risk snapping on the porch light, to surprise and frighten the little creature away.