The Cats of University Heights: Dizzy

Nine. That’s the number of felines seen last night in the hour before sunset and not long later. Is it a Full Moon thing? There was one of two Maine Coons, which will join the series soon. Same is true of a Tuxedo, whom I may finally have gotten close enough for a usable portrait; I’ve been trying for weeks. Couple doors down there was a tabby behind a screened window. Both sightings were on Florida ,along with Wonder, who looked down from inside a residence rather than outside porch.

Over on Alabama, I passed by Burglar, Goldie, and Itchy Valentino—deciding to quietly walk by rather than to distract them. What a surprise! Tipsy crossed the road to greet me and sauntered back after being satisfied by her pats. That brings us yet to another Alabama cat—nineteenth from the street. The kitty earns nickname Dizzy for hanging out on a second floor balcony ledge. 

I spotted Dizzy quite unexpectedly just after sunset, which was 7:29 p.m. PDT. I had come home from my cat walk and was processing the aforementioned Tuxedo’s photos, when the screeching of brakes and sound of a crash ripped my attention. Concerned about an accident, I bolted out the door after deciding to leave behind my camera; there was something too paparazzi about bringing along the shooter. Bad decision.

My wife joined, too, but minutes behind. I walked in the direction of the sound but found no accident along Meade Ave., as anticipated. We met and changed tacts: Drawn by the sound of sirens, we walked to Alabama and proceeded towards El Cajon Blvd. I never got that far. Dizzy sat broadside to the street, beckoning to be photographed.

I turned back to our apartment for a camera, while Annie continued along, looking for the accident, which she would see signs of (police car) where The Boulevard meets Park. I got about 10 meters along before deciding to turnabout and snap something, even if not good enough, with iPhone X. That’s the third of the four photos. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/60 sec, .97 ev, 6mm; 7:35 p.m. I couldn’t be sure the cat would still be there upon my return. The beastie would remain but change positions.

I captured the Featured Image, with the Leica M10 and Summarit-M 1:2.4/50 lens, at 7:45 p.m., and the similar shot a minute later. Vitals for the one: f/2.4, ISO 1600, 1/250 sec, 50mm. And the other: f/2.4, ISO 3200, 1/500 sec, 50mm. I manually set ISO for both.

Dusk descends quickly, I learned last evening. What a difference 10 minutes makes, when comparing the camera captures to the smartphone shot, regarding available light. In the originals taken later, Dizzy and building are more silhouettes, which I remediated when editing DNG RAWs. Both Leica portraits are heavily edited crops, which demanded some tough arbitrary decisions for temperature that makes the building truer to color for the time of day but gives the sky a slightly violet hue.

That brings us to the last picture, which is same as the second but with temperature set as shot. I prefer its bluer tones, which with grain (e.g. noise) looks pleasingly painting-like. And please: Do click through to see each of the four larger.

Even more furballs: ScruffyRoly PolyWooSkullBiscuitThe ColonelWhite,  Chipper, Frisky, Stretch, Needy, Farfisa, Mates, Hunter, Pee-PeeBlue, Blue Too, Bonded PairPatience, Fess, Jumper, Frenemy, Looker, Cozy, Scout, Lurks, Skit, Mini, Betty, Black and White, Stalker, Bell, Chill, Sammy, Scratch, Poser, Star, Grey and White, Watcher, Herman, Comet, RomanWillow, Chub, Nimbus, Watson, Lilo, Kit, Pepe, Twilight, Sebastian, Spot, Booger, Ash, Veruca, Riley, Mellow, Bonde, Flower, Glass, Black, BeBe, Fang, Bruce, Siamese,  PounceTortie, HaikuFraidy, PesoDaniel TigerDuskStrideDainty,  Spry,Tabby, Betty Too, Still, Levi, Shadow,  SophieWinkFerals, MommaCharlie, Tux, Cool, Benny, Jellicle, Itchy Valentino, Goldie, Nine, Amanda, Siesta, ChaCho, Charlie, Too, Mika, Crystal, Seeker, MittensDancer, Smokey, Monkey, Captain Blackbeard, Season, Maven, Tink, Chunk, Curious, Hanoi, Bella, Tarry, Guido, Maxine, Mr. Kitty, Peohe, Panda, Frankie, Sunshine, Twain, Willow, Too, Brawn, Reddy, Burglar, Laramie, Lupe, Bright, Tom, Charm, Buddies, Boss, Ohana, Seer, Fresh, Token, Lola, Carl, Bramble, Finny, Cal, Tipsy, Zander, Mew, Penny, Charlie (the Third), Bob, Apple, Persepolis, Sebastian, Too, Holiday, Snow, Desire, Luci, Torbie, E.T., Bushy, Cali, Precious, Gracie, STAR, Sky, Amble, Aylin, Lucky, Herbie, The Love Bug, Roadie, Harley, and Wonder.