Tag: Cats of University Heights

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 30, 202610:09 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Kitty Puppy

You needn’t ask. Kitty Puppy is this fine feline’s real name, although I am uncertain about whether or not to hyphenate. The 16-year-old is housemate to Stormy, who is a relative newcomer to his residence. I have seen them greet one another, nose to nose, outdoors.

Seen where? Meet the series‘ one-hundred tenth Alabama Street cat—that’s out of 635 profiles, including this one. Some streets pack in more apartments and condominiums. Along Alabama, many single-structure homeowners add so-called Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). I suspect that increased population density explains the cat concentration.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 24, 20269:21 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Warrior

Along Monroe, on March 22, 2026, I saw in the distance a shorthair presumed to be Ash. But upon looking at the Featured Image, at home, on Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, I could see my mistake. Fur color pattern is different, and this wounded warrior is missing an eye. From another photo, the cat appears to have something of a hump on its upper back that could be from an injury.

Nevertheless, the beastie was spry as it and a chunky black beastie chased one another down the street and into an alley. They were playful rather than combative or territorial. I hadn’t seen either before the day before yesterday, so they are presumably newcomers to the neighborhood and come from the same household.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 18, 20269:57 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Bouncer

I don’t know whether or not Captain Blackbeard is still around, but this is where he lives (or lived). I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens to capture the Featured Image on May 6, 2025. Vitals: f/6.3, ISO 125, 1/500 sec, 200mm; 9:49 a.m. PDT.

This fine feline earns nickname Bouncer, because of the sign. I have seen the feisty furball on other occasions, but this was the only photographic opportunity to date. I don’t recall the last time I saw the Captain.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 17, 202611:00 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Fluffer

A drawback of letting a backlog build up is recollection. Why, when, and where did I take the kitty’s photo? Oftentimes, I don’t remember those off-street—in the distance. My recall is better for those animals seen out and about; other cues, such as specific surroundings, typically trigger memory.

According to file location data, this fine feline joins the large but nevertheless select group of kitties seen on Alabama Street between Adams and Lincoln; number one-hundred ninth to be exact. The shorthair is also eighty-first found behind door or window. I don’t recall even taking the photo.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 11, 20269:40 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Wiley

Along Panorama Drive on Feb. 4, 2026, my wife spotted this fine feline, whom I pursued with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The shorthair stalked something, and from the sounds of things several birds—none of which would ever be in reach. Nivkname: Wiley.

Vitals for the Featured Image: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/132 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 10:23 a.m. PST.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 3, 20269:42 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Zigi

I don’t recall where my wife and I encountered Zigi (real name). The shorthair was very active, making for a challenging photographic subject. In the Featured Image, Zigi looks high, responding to the sounds of birds. By appearances, the tabby readied to climb the tree. But instead he (or she) came looking for pats (and Annie gave many).

Both shots come from Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens. Vitals: f/8, ISO 280, 1/1250 sec, 110mm; 12:09 p.m. PST. The other: f/8, ISO 10000, 1/1000 sec, 400mm; 12:13 pm. Captured Christmas Day 2025.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 2, 20269:01 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Stormy

Who is this? As my wife and I walked along Alabama yesterday afternoon, this fine feline strutted our way—and with no initial interest in us. Neither of us had ever seen the grey and white before. Annie attracts animals like she and they are mutually magnetized. The kitty eventually warmed up to her for pats.

The cat had a collar and bell, but no tag. Thus, a nickname is necessary. For shining brightly before Annie, I choose Nova. The Featured Image and companion come from Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 40, 1/125 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 4:21 p.m. The other is same but 115mm.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 15, 20268:42 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Besties

Duh. Usually when I shoot with the camera, I also capture with the smartphone so there is GPS location information. Guess who neglected to maintain that practice on April 12, 2025. With so much time passed, I don’t recall where the Featured Image was made. Location is unknown.

These two, nicknamed Besties, are the one-hundred-forty-seventh and -eighth felines found behind door or window. The portrait comes from Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens. Vitals: f/7.1, ISO 100, 1/640 sec, 200mm; 2:55 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 9, 20269:36 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Berry

This is one of two kitties seen sunning behind vented screens along Meade (cross-street withheld). You’ll have to wait for a better portrait before the other joins the series. Nickname, for no particular reason: Berry.

I don’t recall the number of furballs featured from the street, but it’s only a handful. To name a few: Amanda; Chipper; Dragon; Honey Bunny; Mittens; Ninja; Pee-Pee; Siamese; Tink; and Vivienne.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 1, 20269:53 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Chestnut

The owner of Bruce either spotted him or his doppelgänger the other night. He vanished over Memorial Day weekend 2023, and she and others have sought him since. He was an extremely popular cat, who was best known for his quirky personality, bowties, and walks with his caretaker and her dog.

Could Bruce really be alive and living a few blocks from his home territory? The supposed sighting occurred on historically-designated Shirley Ann Place—a street I loathe and generally avoid. There is a perpetual cultural/political war over there that manifests in the signage and other yard accouterments. As such, the street has a negative vibe. I see it, feel it, and am repulsed by it.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 30, 20269:45 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Whimsy

I often wish for the simpler days of Leica Q or Q2. One camera and one great lens. Versatile, compatible RAW files (DNG). Image quality so sharp that close-cropping substitutes for telephoto lens. But in December 2024, I switched platforms and returned to the world of swappable lenses.

I seriously considered holding out for the then rumored Fujifilm GFX100RF. Like the Q series, the digicam is built around a single lens with leaf shutter—and it’s medium format, which I came to really love when shooting the Fujifilm GFX 50R. Everything about the rangefinder’s ergonomics and high IQ checked my benefits boxes. But the 50R was so big that it scared off animals and people, so I let it go. The 100RF should have been the ideal follow-on, but it shipped later than I needed and the massive file sizes are logistically unappealing.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 25, 20269:37 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Mau

I was ready to accept this tabby as Donuts, who I hadn’t seen for years. But soon after I shot the Featured Image, someone opened a door and stepped out onto a landing. Without being called, the cat raced up the stairs to a second-floor apartment—not the house a few doors down where Donuts lived.

I used Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to shoot this portrait, today. Vitals: f/3.4, ISO 32, 1/320 sec, (synthetic) 230mm (digital and optical zoom); 3:11 p.m. PST. The shorthair’s pose makes me think stone sculptures from an ancient Egypt. So I chose the nickname accordingly: Mau, which is Egyptian for cat.