Tag: animals

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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.

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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.

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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 Yep, a backlog of unpublished putty-tats is in the queue.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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Ten Years with Neko

On this day in 2012, my wife and I brought home the ginger that the County of San Diego Animal Services called Dermott. We renamed him Neko, which is Japanese for cat. The shelter took him in on February 15. We would have first seen him on either the 18th or 25th; I don’t recall which but am confident a Saturday. Because he was so handsome, we were surprised to see him on subsequent visits.

Our Maine Coon mix, Kuma, disappeared on January 15. After city workers recovered his collar in a nearby canyon, we had to assume that a coyote took him. But being ever hopeful not, I checked the shelter website most evenings and we walked through the facility every few days looking. All the while, Dermott remained unclaimed, and we soon learned why.

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The Cats of University Heights: Regal

To clear out the backlog of unpublished kitties, we’re bunching them up (third this week). I have held back several with collars and tags hoping to get their real names. But a time comes, when there has been no close encounter, to choose a moniker and add the beastie to the series.

This handsome tabby is one of several seen mulling about the same cottage complex along Louisiana. Those profiled so far, and there are more: Cuddles, Honcho, Saunter, and Squeaky.

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The Cats of University Heights: Noire

Along the same apartment complex knoll where appears Bleu, I sometime see another feline—either alone or nearby. Since the nickname for one is translated from English to French, let’s do the same with the other; Noire, which is the feminine, for black.

I assume, and possibly wrongly, that Noire is not only female but mother to the Kittens discovered in the connecting property. Resemblance is unmistakable, which doesn’t make my presumption right.

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The Cats of University Heights: Bleu

Squinting may be necessary to make out this fine feline, which might be, uh-oh, a Russian Blue. Based on current social norms of conformance, businesses (or other entities) and individuals must boycott all things from Russia because of the country’s invasion into Ukraine. Being a devout nonconformist,  I won’t penalize a cat for its breed.

Mock me if you like on the social media service of your choosing. I won’t see the post. What’s that quandary question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears does it make a sound? Similarly, if you post angrily about me and I don’t see does it matter? No. Go ahead, wriggle your grimy fingers on physical or screen keypad. 

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The Cats of University Heights: Mittens, Too

On two mornings in January 2022, the sound of a little girl giggling and flashes of her chasing something turned my attention along Alabama. The youngster was with other kids and adults, preparing to walk to Alice Birney Elementary. Object of her interest: A tiger tabby kitten.

On the Eleventh, I happened upon the frisky feline frolicking about. She scampered long enough for several portraits, including the Featured Image—all taken using iPhone Pro 13. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 32, 1/369 sec, 77mm; 8:47 a.m. PST.