Category: Critters

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 8, 20229:13 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Conrad

On the same Louisiana block where the Craftsman Bungalows were demolished and where reside Cuddles, Honcho, Kuro, Regal, Saunter, and Squeaky, my wife and I met a Tuxedo whose manner and movement suggest elder cat.

I believe this fine feline is longest-ago photographed but unpublished beastie. Some kitties are more endearing than others, and this one tickled my fancy (yeah, yeah, archaic phrasing) such that I held back posting in hopes of getting a real name. While Annie and I have seen the shorthair since the first sighting on Jan. 23, 2022, we haven’t been lucky enough to encounter an owner.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 2, 20229:26 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Coy

The backlog of unpublished kitties trails by more than four months. The oldest aren’t so much in a queue of many as one of waiting—as I hope to meet owners and obtain real names. Time comes to move along the stragglers, starting with this tabby who is most frustrating; I know his (or her) housemate, Shy, and really wanted correct identification. I see both beasties sunning in the same spot, but never together.

Shy joined the series in February 2019, and, yes, still lives in the apartment. Maybe the roomie is a pandemic putty; lots of adoptions occurred during the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 lockdowns. Nearby, Honey Bunny may still be resident in the same complex. But, in January 2021, Veruca and her family moved from the house next door.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 28, 20229:00 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Dagger Tooth

Nearly eight-year-old Dagger Tooth—the eighty-eighth putty-tat to appear in the series from Alabama Street, between boundaries Adams and Lincoln—is housemate to Dragon Claws, who was profiled nearly three months ago. She lost one eye to melanoma, but her owner says she manages well, which I can confirm from watching her romp about today.

Dagger Tooth jumps to the front of the backlog queue, which indulges her but how could I not when her brother so recently joined the series? She’s special: Local coffee shop Mystic Mocha recently named her cat of the month.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 26, 20229:20 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Scooter

For so long I considered adding this ginger to the series that a look over all 475 profiles was necessary to ensure no forgotten previous appearance. The Wilcox family moved to San Diego on Oct. 15, 2007. The Featured Image, captured using Nokia N95, is from several weeks later: November 7. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 125, 1/17 sec, 5.6mm; 6:03 p.m. PST.

This rascal would scamper across rooftops of nearby buildings, and he peers down from one in this portrait. He is one of the few felines whose photo was taken before the series’ start on Oct. 16, 2016. The others: Blue, Farfisa, Hunter, Spot, and Woo. I saw the middle three once only but the first and last often enough.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 23, 20229:10 pm

The Angry Birds

Somebody is unhappy about all the talk that avian flu will lead to poultry shortages in the worst scenario and soaring selling prices in the better one. Look at those grim faces dominating the Featured Image captured on April 14, 2022 using Leica Q2. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/8, ISO 100, 1/80 sec, 28mm; 10:39 a.m. PDT.

You can panic, and be sure smug prognosticators of doom are correct, when Costco rotisserie chicken sells for more than the long stable $4.99—or simply is unavailable.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 21, 20229:18 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Oreo

We go back inside for the eighty-eighth feline found behind door or window. I have seen this one once only, on Feb. 3, 2022. The Featured Image comes from iPhone 13 Pro. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/1783 sec, 77mm; 9:58 a.m. PDT.

Symmetry is all wrong, which reflections off glass and greenery to the left make messier. Black-and-white conversion diminishes some of the clutter distraction and draws more attention to the kitty, who earns nickname Oreo for colors like the cream-filled cookie.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 18, 20229:52 pm

Caution, Caterpillar Crossing

Outside the home where lived Grace (before she passed away) and nearby where once crouched Champagne, chalked caution and watch out warnings seek to raise caterpillar awareness. Both putty-tats appeared in my “Cats of University Heights” series—in April 2018 and February 2021, respectively.

The husband and wife who own the property tend flowers and flora that attract butterflies and caterpillars. I often see Monarchs fluttering about. Spring—or in San Diego three-season parlance, early Summer—is breeding and feeding time. So, please, be mindful where you step.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 16, 20229:10 pm

Doggone Fun

At the corner where University Heights ends and North Park begins, my wife and I waited to walk across El Cajon Blvd. I turned to see a car come up Texas Street to the intersection; a big `ol dog hung out the window. I pulled around Leica Q2 for a quick shot, not wanting to draw the attention of the driver and possibly to offend him.

The Featured Image is about a 95 percent crop, which deliberately includes price of gasoline—down from a high of $5.96 per gallon as recently as last week at this station and others around my San Diego neighborhood. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/8, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, 28mm; 11:38 a.m. PDT, today.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 14, 20228:28 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Kuro

Along the same stretch of Louisiana Street, seemingly several skinny blacks are outdoor roamers—and distance identification can be tricky. Do I see the same shorthair visiting separate cottage complexes or are there two different animals? That’s the question, quite possibly unanswerable, as the first joins the series.

I used iPhone 13 Pro to capture the Featured Image on Jan. 17, 2022. Yep, a backlog of unpublished putty-tats is in the queue. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 50, 1/122 sec, 77mm; 2:01 p.m. PST. Let’s nickname this fine feline Kuro, which is Japanese for black.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 9, 20228:20 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Rosie, Too

The series‘ second Rosie is, whoa, twenty years old. My wife and I met her owner about three weeks after I captured the Featured Image on March 5, 2022, using iPhone 13 Pro. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/122 sec, 77mm; 1:41 p.m. PST.

The calico lives on the same block as Harvey and Romper. Current and planned construction of massive multi-unit residences makes the street rather unpleasant living for animals and humans. I am surprised to see any furballs at all, if for no other reason than the relentless racket.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 3, 202212:02 am

The Cats of University Heights: Leo, Too

The series‘ second Leo is housemate to Wilbur, whom we met yesterday. I have only seen the ginger once, on Jan. 31, 2022, and continue efforts to clear up a surprising backlog of photographed but not yet published kitties.

About 52 percent of San Diego’s housed residents rent, and with monthly rates rising there has been tremendous turnover during the past 12 months—spurred in part by Silicon Valley tech employees relocating now that they can work at home. You can either blame or credit SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates for the migration—also explanation for fresh cat sightings.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 2, 20229:25 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Wilbur

We celebrate the first Caturday of the month by starting a double-header: Wilbur today and his housemate Leo tomorrow. My wife and I encountered the pair on Jan. 31, 2022. I have seen the tabby in the Featured Image and three companion shots on several occasions since. Wilbur’s ginger buddy blessed us with his presence once only.

Wilbur came up to visit, and Annie read his tag. But Leo stayed distant, and I have searched since hoping to see him and get his name. That information presented unexpectedly last night. Nearly a month ago, I grudgingly returned to Nextdoor; economic uncertainty is reason enough to band together with neighbors, with whom bartering or buying may benefit us all soon. While exploring the social network’s Pets section, I identified Leo and confirmed Wilbur; both beasties share the same owner.