Tag: Cats of University Heights

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The Cats of University Heights: Whisper

Meet the third kitty spotted inside a catio since the series‘ start seven years ago. The others: Jester and King. That’s three out of 552 profiles. I spotted this fine feline while walking with my wife on Oct. 1, 2023 along an undisclosed alley.

The Featured Image is made possible by Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s 10x optical zoom. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/390 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 11:58 a.m. PDT. For nickname, I choose Whisper.

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The Cats of University Heights: Marvel

This series started on Oct. 17, 2016 with tentative runtime of perhaps 30 days—because how many cats could possibly be in a neighborhood with so many dogs? I never imagined 551, including this post (more counting doubles featured together). But here we are.

I spotted our newest member earlier today along Florida Street. The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/300 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 11:43 a.m. PDT.

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The Cats of University Heights: Marble

If you thought the last kitty, Mochi, was difficult to see behind a security screen, this fine feline is even more obscured. Even so, I couldn’t resist sharing. Location: Alley that separates Louisiana and Texas.

Nickname Marble for coloration and shape of head, this rascal is the one-hundred-sixteenth furball found behind door or window since this series started in October 2016.

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The Cats of University Heights: Mochi

A generational house on Georgia is home to three furballs. Zero qualifies as the normal one—meaning whole. Appearing in this series as Reddy, but renamed Jinx, is a ginger longhair missing tail and one eye. Growing kitten Mochi joins them.

She was found abandoned inside a fabric carrier outside one of the local businesses. Owner of the other two kitties took pity on Mochi and brought her home. Since, the shorthair has been checked by the vet and had her operation (you know, the one to prevent kittens).

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The Cats of University Heights: Muffy

San Diego is a city of renters—about 52 percent of households, based on U.S. Census Bureau data. One reason this series continues nearly seven years later is the high turnover of tenants; pets with them. Today’s kitty is the third photographed at the same house, all with different owners.

Sophie joined in August 2017 and Vivienne in June 2018. Those are real names for both animals; I must assign one for the newcomer. The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on Sept. 7, 2023. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 11:27 a.m. PDT.

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The Cats of University Heights: Meek

Perhaps you remember Proudfoot, who joined the series in early August 2021? Nearly two years to the day, Aug. 9, 2023, my wife and I passed him (or her) on nearly the same sidewalk spot. But wait! In an adjacent cottages courtyard, I saw another shorthair similarly colored. Surely they are littermates!

I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to capture the Featured Image and companion. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/125 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 9:27 a.m. PDT. The other: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/490 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 9:28 a.m.

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The Cats of University Heights: Cheshire

While walking with my wife along the alley separating Alabama and Florida, today, I spotted a black and white romping down the cross-street ahead of us. Minutes later, I caught up to the shorthair, which posed long enough for me to shoot the Featured Image.

Lucky me: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra autodetected the cat and made it the point of focus, rather than the foreground pink flowers. Whew. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/1000 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 9:30 a.m. PDT.

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The Cats of University Heights: Tsuki

At one home, three kitties once lived: Booger (who was hit by a car in November 2017); Sebastian (who vanished in October 2022, possibly by coyote); and Ash (whose status I don’t know; my last photo of him is Feb. 8, 2023).

Few months ago, a Calico appeared but inside the home rather than roaming the lush yard. Presumably, with recent surge of cat disappearances in the neighborhood, the owners choose to keep her indoors—oh, but with great vantage to the outdoors. She is the one-hundred-thirteenth feline found behind door or window since the series‘ start in October 2016.

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The Cats of University Heights: Moonpie

Along a Mississippi alley, I spotted this fine feline on June 2, 2023. This rascal is the one-hundred-twelfth furball found behind door or window since the series‘ start in October 2016. Believe it or not, the animal is on the second floor.

I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 160, 1/125 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 7:38 p.m. PDT. What nickname shall we give? How about Moonpie.

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The Cats of University Heights: Twilight Twins

For several years, I have sought photos of one or both blacks that stay to the back of a cottage complex on Florida Street. But the shorthairs are always too far away. Then, unexpectedly, on June 10, 2023, while walking along the alley behind, I passed by the open back gate and there they were.

Problem: Timing and equipment. Deep dusk had already set in, with buildings blocking the last rays before official sunset at 7:56 p.m. PDT. The Featured Image is one-minute earlier. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can be prepped for such night shooting but wasn’t—and I needed to be quick on the shutter.

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The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Liberty

While walking along 30th Street in North Park, today, I came upon a San Diego police cruiser coming to a parked stop. As an officer climbed out of the vehicle, I coincidentally spied a white cat in the grassy courtyard of a connected-cottage complex. I thought to take a quick photo, but the cop approached and I chose otherwise.

He opened the gate and entered the same property! I couldn’t resist, pulling out Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and turning back. I peaked through the fence expecting to see space where was the beastie. But no, the white was still there, and the policeman stood a short distance away knocking on someone’s door. This was no scaredy cat!

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The Cats of University Heights: Nickel

After a long hiatus, Alabama returns to grace us with another kitty. This black-fur is the ninety-sixth feline from the street, between boundaries Adams and Lincoln, to appear in the series since its start in October 2016.

My neighbor Pat lives on the property, where once was the rusted Triumph Spitfire (the vehicle is gone now). He is nearly blind but nevertheless hardworking. Pat collects cans and bottles around the East side of Park Blvd. Most of the redeemables are face value five cents, although the redemptions are typically paid by weight (which means less).