Tag: cats

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 27, 20238:49 pm

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).

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 23, 20239:23 pm

Waiting for Bruce

This evening, I stepped out for a late-day walk and came upon the owner of Bruce walking her dog Apple. Guido came along, somewhat reluctantly; he isn’t quite as enthusiastic about the jaunts as his housemate.

Bruce disappeared four weeks ago tonight—to what end no one knows. Everyone hopes not to a coyote; sightings are more frequent all around this part of University Heights and neighboring Hillcrest, Normal Heights, and North Park. But Bruce typically stays in at night, and rarely roams when do the predators. Best scenario is abduction and his eventual escape.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 11, 202310:09 pm

Neko Nestles

As the hunt for my neighbor’s missing kitty Bruce continues, I take a moment to regard one of our two felines. Neko has started to occasionally nap on the bed in my old office, which is now our daughter’s bedroom. She moved into our apartment on April 11, 2023, as part of recovery from a traumatic event, which her medical record describes as “severe hypoxic injury and bilateral subcortical infarctions”. Her progress so far is nothing short of miraculous, considering where she was on March 2. That said, doctors have counseled us to expect one to two years for her brain to heal as much as it will ever.

Our girl’s arrival kind of sent the cats (Cali is the other) into exile from one of their main rooms in the residence. But the Featured Image, taken today using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, shows how Neko is starting to share territory with our girl. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 125, 1/60 sec, 70mm; 10:40 a.m. PDT; composed as shot.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 9, 20239:44 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Mickey

While walking together today, my wife and I came upon Mr. Frankie, enjoying some sun with his owner. But they weren’t alone! Housemate Mickey was outside with them. She is two years old and joined the family at four months. By the way, Mr. Frankie just celebrated his fourth birthday.

I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to capture the Featured Image and companion. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 64, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 3:46 p.m. PDT. Second shot: f/2.4, ISO 50, 1/2900 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 3:45 p.m.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 8, 20239:17 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Mouser

The problem with black pusses is identification. Is this shorthair Noire, who has consistently appeared in a nearby property? In more than a year of walking this stretch of Mississippi Street, I have never seen any kitty on these premises—until this May 1, 2023 sighting.

I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s 10x optical zoom to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/250 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 4:39 p.m. PDT. Does this cat look like a mouser to you? The beastie does to me—hence the nickname.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 29, 202310:49 pm

Bruce is Missing!

Last night, Sunday, one of my neighbors rang the doorbell, and as I rushed to the door she pulled back the leash on her dog Apple, asking: “Have you seen Bruce?” Visibly anguished, she explained that the cat disappeared on Friday night. She, as I suddenly recalled, had gone away for Memorial Day weekend, trusting his care—and that of housemates Guido and Little—to friends.

Bruce is quite independent, and he is known in the neighborhood for his lion trim and for walking with his owner when she takes out Apple. Seems like everyone knows Bruce, which must explain the outpouring of support to find him. Neighbors are out searching and calling his name. Another made and posted lost cat signs. This handsome tabby has quite the following, and he really should have his own Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 25, 202310:48 pm

Regarding Leica Q3

German camera company Leica today announced the Q3, which is now available for preorder. While being tempted to trade in Q2 and upgrade, I am overly enamored with my existing equipment, which more than achieves the “good enough” threshold.

I obtained Leica Q2 on the last day of 2019—and wrote a review two years later (do read it). For sure the new thing tempts, but I must resist—and for another reason that will be explained below.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 5, 20239:22 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Cuddles, Too

As my wife and I walked along Cleveland Avenue today, I spotted a tan shorthair on the other side of the street. We crossed and were greeted by an affectionately friendly feline that I hadn’t seen before. From behind us, a man coming along with a leashed dog, said: “That’s Cuddles”. A community cat.

By day, Cuddles hangs around where we met him; one of the neighbors put out a bed for him. At night he goes to parallel Maryland to his semi-permanent home, where there is a collection of other cats he doesn’t mix well with. I know them. Our long lost mixed-Maine Coon Kuma used to visit them.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 30, 20236:41 am

The Cats of University Heights: Firecracker and Dynamite

Look who lives with Frost. I spotted the pair on Jan. 12, 2023—and, so far, not since. The two are the one-hundred-tenth and one-hundred-eleventh felines found behind door or window. As you can see, there […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 6, 20239:47 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Oliver, Too

Today, while walking in the neighborhood of Hillcrest, along University Avenue, not far from Eli’s, I came upon a tabby wearing a GPS collar. He moved with assurance, not bothered by my following and unsuccessfully taking a good photo (I got plenty of his back). As he moseyed into a parking lot, someone called “Oliver” to him and said “That’s my cat” to me.

His owner had one of those meshy cat carriers that are often worn on the back. She is former military, from Portland, Ore., and lives here—having once been stationed in San Diego. The thirty-nine-year old was refreshingly friendly, particularly considering current American society’s stereotypes of animosity and division: Woman of color and aging white male are supposed to be enemies of gender and race.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 16, 202310:16 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Floofy

Members of the Honorary contingent belong to a special group: twenty-three profiles (including this one) out of 535 since the series started on Oct. 17, 2016. By definition, these animals live outside the neighborhood boundaries, but usually not more than a few blocks.

But three are far beyond, and the farthest share something in common: Our daughter. Moophie lived nearby one of her apartments. Comber was seen in Pacific Beach, after my wife and I visited our girl in the community on Christmas day. Today’s kitty appeared nearby the hospital where our daughter recovers from a tragic, life-changing incident.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 14, 202310:23 pm

Peek-a-Mew

Keeping things simple tonight, and a bit more cheerful, I share something sweet and silly. Neko hides in one of two blankets that Annie and I received following our blessed marriage ceremony in Korea on Jan. 12, 1989. I can’t find the original file; this comes from a Google Photos backup.

I used Fujifilm X-E1 to capture the Featured Image, on Nov. 24, 2013. Vitals: f/4, ISO 3200, 1/28 sec, 55mm; 4:32 p.m. PST. This camera, like its successors, is greatly underrated. Detail here is sharp, even at higher ISO.