What Did the Cat See?

Blackbeard the cat at his post. (7/26/19)

The majority of photographs of backyard wildlife posted on my blog are taken from the large windows that surround our kitchen counter. They open into our backyard. so when an interesting critter or bird comes into view--SNAP! I'll do this at many different times of the day, as reflected in the way that the different hues our lawn take son during the course of the day: sometimes appearing neon green when bathed in sun or deep, dark green when the shade dominates. This accounts for the occasional out-of-focus imagery and lens flare, but also for my ability to take pics when thy can't see us observing them. Blackbeard the cat is a constant viewing companion, so much so, that when we are outside working in the garden, he will prowl the windows to see what's going on. Most of what we see taking place among the tomato cages and bird feeders are, in truth, what the cat saw...

Catbird and sparrow on tomato cages. (7/29/16)

Common Grackles in the grass. (7/29/16)

Frazzled Grackle. (7/26/19)

American Robin. (7/29/16)

Cottontail rabbit with gang of Common Grackles. (7/29/16)

Grackle and Cottontail lunching together. (7/29/16)

Cottontail in the vegetable garden. (7/29/16) 

Male Northern Cardinal. (7/29/16)

Cautious Cottontail. (7/29/16)

Male Northern Cardinal with Common Grackles. (7/29/16)

Male Northern Cardinal. (7/29/16)

American Robin. (7/29/16)

Yakking American Robins. (7/29/16)

Cottontail rabbit. (7/29/16)

Black-Capped Chickadee on Nyjer feeder. (7/29/16)

BUSTED! Backyard Visitors

Blackbeard keeps a keen eye on the backyard from the kitchen counter. (7/3/16)

With the grass cut, mulch laid and feeders briefly full, this past weekend was an exciting one in our backyard. As is often the case, Blackbeard the cat and I spent time watching the birds and bunnies come and go from our assigned vantage points: the kitchen (Blackbeard) and the back porch (me).

Tree sparrows on tomato cages. (7/2/16)

Tree sparrows and purple finch on cylindrical feeder. (7/2/16)

Male tree sparrow shares with female. (7/2/16)

Male Northern Cardinal stops by for visit. (7/3/16)

Small Eastern Cottontail outside entrance to home under shed. (7/3/16)

The center of attention. (7/3/16)

Large adult Eastern Cottontail. (7/4/16)

Gray catbird hides in small tree. (7/4/16)

For scale, adult Eastern Cottontail. (7/4/16)

Eastern Cottontail. (7/4/16)

Female and male Goldfinch on small cylindrical feeder with Nyjer. (7/4/16)

Eastern Cottontail. (7/4/16)

Backyard guardian. (7/4/16)

Blackbeard's Backyard Bunnies

Blackbeard spots TWO bunnies from the kitchen window. (4/3/15)

With our puppy having recently passed away, and the icy finally melted, our backyard has become something of a haven for our backyard bunnies. While Gracie never bothered the rabbits that would frequent our backyard (and apparently live under the shed), without her presence they have nothing to fear. As much as Blackbeard yearns to get outside in the back to play, that ain't going to happen... at least not intentionally!

Tougher than you'd think getting two wild rabbits in a single shot from inside 
the house. (4/3/15)

Gooood bunny! (4/3/15)

Later! (4/3/15)

A dewy day for checking out the slumbering gardens. (4/3/15)

Blackbeard waits by the backdoor to go out. (4/3/15)

Yummy! (4/5/15)

Rabbit has gained confidence now, sauntering to brick 
back patio in daylight. (4/5/15)

Out for a morning hop around the hood... (4/12/15)

... but not without checking back first. (4/12/15)

What Did the Cat See?

Blackbeard (aka "Kitty") surveys our urban estate for potential prey. (4/1/15)

This is the first spring that Blackbeard has been living with us and it would appear he also enjoys staring into the backyard in search of aviary/animal activity.

Tuesday morning, Blackbeard and I both took note of our backyard rabbit sitting under the evergreen tree in the far left corner of the yard. During the winter months (which I hope are at last finally behind us), I would occasionally catch the rabbit sitting in roughly the same spot, and tell-tale tracks suggested he was living under our shed and foraying into the front yard through our (currently) broken wooden fence. Good for him; I can appreciate the need/desire to get out-and-about from time to time (a need Blackbeard has also expressed given numerous attempts to jet out open doors).

Rabbit rests, angle 1. (4/1/15)

Rabbit rests, angle 2. (4/1/15)

Rabbit rests, angle 2. (4/1/15)

After coming across numerous rabbits in the neighborhood during early morning runs, and seeing the one living under our shed throughout the winter, it was good to snap a few pics. Now that the snow has finally begun to melt, it is much more challenging to see the rabbit(s), but that hasn't stopped either me or Blackbeard from peering out the kitchen windows looking for continued activity. Much like the ubiquitous birds my wife would cajole me about taking pictures of in years past, my camera is always at the ready should the rabbit come out in plain site for a it.

Ticker the Christmas Kitty

Ticker sizes up the wrapping paper. (12/25/13)

Last evening, after opening presents and spending about twenty minutes clicking off pictures on my digital camera, it occurred to me that each of the past two years,while at my in-laws' celebrating Christmas Day, I've spent what might seem like an inordinate amount of time taking pictures of their cat, Ticker. While I am not really a "cat person," though our pet cat of nearly ten years recently passed away, I do find their contradictory playful and aloof nature to be an interesting subject matter. Or, it could be that one can only take so many pictures of people sitting around drinking egg nog opening presents.

Ticker feigning disinterest in the catnip bird. (12/25/13)

This year Ticker was gifted with a catnip stuffed bird-on-a-string. Ticker is one of those great cats who likes to hunt and play with his toys, an activity he is remarkably adept at despite his girth. Taking pictures of the cat doing silly "cat things" can fill time with many more giggles than you could reasonably expect.

Gotcha! (12/25/13)

Not content with silly attacking the bird, the string is next!  (12/25/13)

This is called "licking one's chops." (12/25/13)

Yet another toy has been brought to heel in Ticker's paws. (12/25/13)

... and we're done! (12/25/13)

That, my friends, is how I "keep it hood" during the holidays: cat pics and witty captions!