Tag: Cats of University Heights

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 5, 202510:06 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Swarthy

Not every first photo is a winner. This one is more of a loser but nevertheless is worthy enough to be the Featured Image. The companion capture is much better, albeit still somewhat lacking. Both pics come from Pixel 10 Pro XL, which replaces the still functional and charming Pixel 2 XL. But, alas, Google stopped supporting the smartphone at Android 11 (current version is 16).

For today’s morning walk, I left behind Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for chance to get a first shot with the Pixel. Opportunity presented on Arizona Street, which is one block beyond the neighborhood boundary. Hence, the honorary designation. My wife spotted the blackie that paid little attention to us as it stalked birdies.

Photo by Joe WilcoxNov 19, 20259:53 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Peppers

Meet the last remaining member of a small community cat colony. The oldest two, an abandoned bonded pair living in the alley for at least six years, are absent. Floyd found his way to foster care about a year ago for health reasons. He was adopted earlier this month.

Jingle was left behind with Pops, who was also recently adopted, a sadly emotional debonding. Turns out that Floyd’s new owner would like a second cat, which could be Jingle. Problem: He hasn’t been seen since November 8. One possible reason: The property that the cats claimed as territory is in the early stages of a disruptive renovation, following the death of the homeowner.

Photo by Joe WilcoxNov 8, 20259:11 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Brim

We briefly step back from the backlog and present the one-hundred-fortieth feline found behind door or window. Nickname Brim, this handsome kitty lives somewhere along Panorama Drive. Date: Oct. 19, 2025. The Featured Image comes […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxOct 31, 20251:24 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Batman

This fine feline doesn’t dress up for Halloween. His black coat and witchy allure are already perfect—and his name is appropriate for the day of cosplaying: Batman. Well, it’s on his collar tag.

I first encountered Batman at 8:52 p.m. PDT on Sept. 23, 2025. But he was so engaging and seeking of pats that I couldn’t get a full-face view; night shot required him to be still, too. I encountered him once more around two days later in late afternoon.

Photo by Joe WilcoxOct 17, 202510:13 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Tinkle

This series started exactly nine years ago—Oct. 17, 2016, with a kitty nicknamed Scruffy. Living in a dog neighborhood, I expected to wrap up in about a month. How many cats could there be? Nearly a decade later, there are 613 profiles, including this one, and a backlog of photographed but unpublished kitties.

The problem with procrastinating posting putties: I don’t recall shooting some of their portraits, and I must look closely to ensure the animal hasn’t already been published. Oh, my aching aged memory.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 20, 20258:11 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Buster

Another Caturday night and I ain’t got nobody—but a tabby tat from the series‘ enormous backlog. I used Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to capture the Featured Image on April 28, 2024. That wasn’t the first time I saw the tabby or anytime sense. I merely present the best portrait from the selection. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/250 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 2:03 p.m. PDT.

The putty-tat, nicknamed Buster for no particular reason, is the one-hundred-thirty-ninth feline found behind door or window among the 612 profiles, including this one.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 7, 20256:31 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Double Stuff

Meet the one-hundred-thirty-eighth feline found behind door or window, since the series‘ start in October 2016. Have you ever eaten Oreo Double Stuff cookies? If so, you understand the kitty’s nickname.

I used Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to shoot the Featured Image on July 3, 2025. Yep, we break away from the backlog and will continue to do so occasionally. Next cat will be one long waiting in the queue.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 31, 20259:00 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Stubby

I believe, but have yet to confirm, that this fine feline is the oldest in the current backlog. The Featured Image and companion come from Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on March 13, 2024. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/640 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 2:29 p.m. PDT. The other: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/1000 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 2:29 p.m.

Among the 610 profiles (including this one) in this series, only 35 are from outside University Heights: AI, Boo, Buddies, Charmer, Chill, Coal, Comber, Cotton, Envy, Esther, Fancy, Floofy, Guapo, Liberty, Lonesome, Jade, Kello, Mona, Moophie, Mousy, Mystic, Ninja, Oliver, Too, Promise, Queenie, Pussyfoot, Rascal, Raven, Sammy, Shakey, Tag and Tig, Tempest, Timber, Tom and Jerry, and Tula.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 23, 20256:43 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Rusty

We leap past the backlog to a shorthair seen today along Georgia Street approaching North Park but well within the neighborhood boundary. The ginger scooted across a lawn onto the sidewalk and under a vehicle. I was able to kneel down and capture the Featured Image, using Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

All week, I toyed with buying Z Fold 7, for which Samsung offers an amazingly generous preorder deal that is absolutely irresistible. The foldable is sleek and appealing. But the Ultra’s bigger battery, reduced-glare screen, and superior cameras are benefits I am reluctant to give up. I could not have captured this single shot with any of the other phone’s cameras. Well, I still have another day to decide (I think).

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 11, 20259:35 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Plump

Unquestionably, this balcony catio is the best that I have seen in the neighborhood—well, so far. I nearly missed the Calico, as my wife and I walked by on May 18, 2025. Location withheld.

The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 40, 1/125 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 10:17 a.m. PDT. For nickname: Plump, which I hope offends no one—least of all the owner. Our Neko is a bit rotund, too, so I understand putty-tats with big appetites.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 6, 20258:57 pm

The Cats of University Height: Spaz

I hope you really like cats. The backlog is enormous, and this is the first addition since March 2025. Yikes! So feline frenzy will overwhelm this website for a little while, starting with Spaz—and that’s a real name!

Spaz and owner lived on Alabama when I took the Featured Image on May 31; they have since gone elsewhere. The longhair is the one-hundred-sixth kitty seen along the street, somewhere between boundaries Adams and Lincoln, since the series start in October 2016; that’s out of 607 profiles, including this one.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 28, 20257:14 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Tempest

We briefly interrupt the backlog to present a valiant orange seen today. Annie spotted the shorthair on a property at Lincoln and Louisiana, which is inches outside the neighborhood’s official boundary. Hence, the honorary designation.

There was a second tabby, this one grey, and they chased one another about. The other disappeared into shrubs, then the space between buildings to the alley behind. The orange followed, moving with the suddenness of a summer storm—that explains choice of nickname Tempest.