What an unexpected surprise. I hadn’t traversed Florida Street between Howard and Polk for many months—well, until July 19, 2018. Along the way, I spotted Bramble, who joined the series on Groundhog Day this year. Gasp, three other felines moved about the property, looking like the whole caboodle came from their afternoon meal.

Shooting through branches presents problems that Leica M10 and its manual focus technique somewhat overcomes. I got the better portraits of the shorthair that earns nickname Shrub. Another, whom I dub Brumble, is next up. The fourth putty-tat must wait for another day and another attempt. 

Feline sightings along Mission Cliff Drive are fairly rare. Since the series started in October 2016, only three have been profiled: Aylin, Fraidy, and Tabby. Meet a fourth! So there’s no misunderstanding: This Tuxedo-like furball is grey not the traditional black—and, as you can see, quite handsome.

I shot the Featured Image and its companion on July 13, 2018 using Leica M10 and Summarit-M 1:2.4/50 lens. Vitals: f/4, ISO 200, 1/250 sec, 50mm; 6:25 p.m. PDT. The other, taken one-minute later and after he stretched out, is same except for 1/180 sec shutter speed. 

Yesterday, while walking along Mississippi Street between Meade and Monroe, I spotted a pair of kitties looking at birds. They are the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth window watchers featured in the series so far. They presented poses that were irresistibly poignant.

I assume these are indoor beasties, but they do wear collars with tags, indicating perhaps some outdoor excursions. The Featured Image, which is modestly cropped, sets the scene. The two companions close in on the putty-tats. 

Oh my, this is the 200th profile since the series started in October 2016. I expected a month time-frame, never imagining that in a dog neighborhood there would be so many cats. Our friendly feline also is third in a row from Alabama and twenty-fourth featured from that street. The two recent others: Maxie and Striker.

Yesterday, while walking with my wife, I spotted the presumed Maine Coon between Howard and Polk. Fluff is appropriate nickname, don’t you think? The kitty stayed put long enough for me to get the farther Featured Image and to move in closer for the companion. 

Call me flabbergasted. Four days after seeing Striker, along Alabama between Mission and Madison, my wife and I encountered Maxie and his owner on the same block. The tabby is the twenty-third profiled from the street, and—gasp—another, spotted earlier today, will be next up.

Maxie came to his 71-ish caretaker about 24 months ago. The feline started hanging around, even though he technically belong to neighbors. They left about a year later, and the kitty stayed behind. Maxie rooms with another cat, whose story we may share sometime soon.