More New Babies

We don't have a picture - wouldn't want to get too close. But this early morning my husband saw a mother skunk and 3 little ones parading along the top of a retaining wall.

Mom Scarface and her troop are doing fine. Yesterday it stormed most of the day and only 2 of the kittens showed up to eat in between rainstorms, leaving us concerned as to the whereabouts of kitten number 3. This morning they were all back on our porch. Apparently kitten number 3 chose to sleep in yesterday. Or maybe she got too close to a skunk and was persona non grata for a while.

What a Surprise !!!

I thought colony had pretty much exhausted all the "cute" things I could report on, so haven't added to my blog for some time. However, recently our neighbor alerted us to the news that kittens had been spotted. "Oh Yes," we said. We never did catch Yellow Ears, so had been expecting this. Then Mom brought the kittens to our back yard, and we couldn't believe our eyes. Their mom is Scarface, who is not a male, as we had thought !!!

So we have 2 sunny yellow kittens and a dark one who looks like mom. And we'll have to rename Scarface.

The kittens are very active. Note the 2 climbing the tree. It's easy to spot the yellow one, but the dark one kind of blends into the bottom of the tree.

Cooling Off

It must have been warm that day, or perhaps he had a major workout before breakfast. Either way, Scarface found the perfect dish - one that enabled him to dip his tail in the drinking water to cool off.

A New Treat

Yesterday we did some spring cleaning and moved the condos away from our back porch, so things looked a little different to the cats this morning. Only the 2 young males came when breakfast was put out. At lunch time, Pepper came to eat and appeared to be having trouble crunching the food - possibly a bad tooth. Ever the soft touch, I put out a small chicken appetizer of soft food. However, Pepper ran away as soon as I opened the door. I left it there, thinking she would be back. Instead, Rollo came back and was enjoying the treat when Mama strolled up. After a short stare down, Rollo moved away from the food. Mama, however, took her time to get to the treat; and first sampled the dry cat food in each dish. Then she ate a few bites of the chicken and left. Rollo hurried back to finish it up. Poor Pepper got none.

It's Spring !!!

Our camera caught Pepper enjoying nice weather and a good spring roll around on the greening grass.

Mama is One Cool Cat

This morning the roofers began work on our new roof. Four cats were breakfasting when the roofers arrived. Four cats disappeared for the day. Mama Cat usually comes for breakfast after the other cats have finished and gone off to their daily pursuits. Today was no different. While the roofers were pounding and scraping she enjoyed a quiet breakfast and then gracefully and purposely walked back across the yard.

Back in March I wrote how Harley stepped into the house and she and Alex met nose to nose - and I missed the picture. Well, Harley has frequently come back inside briefly when I open the door in the morning to bring out the food for the day. So I finally caught the exchange between Harley and Alex on film - but missed the actual kiss. Here, Harley appears to be more interested in the furniture than in Alex.

Don't Fool with a Duck

Harley was out in the back yard yesterday when the two ducks that roam our neighborhood came through, quacking away. Harley began to stalk them, crouching low to the ground. One of the ducks turned and faced Harley, still quacking away. Harley stopped. The duck started toward Harley, still quacking away. Harley didn't move. The second duck turned and also started toward Harley, also quacking away. Harley chickened out and left.

A Visitor

This cat visited our back yard recently. It was the first time we had seen him. We almost mistook him for one of our kittens, until we noticed the black rings on his tail. To date, he has not returned.

Spring Cleaning

We've been blessed with sunny, warm weather recently, so we figured it was time to clean up and put out some warm weather things. The blanket on top of the condos will remain for the time being - nights can still get quite cool. However, we have unplugged the floor heaters. The cats don't spend much time inside anymore. Pepper, eating above, is the only one that sticks pretty close to the condos, and she is away more and more lately.

Capture Mode - Not

All the cats were waiting for breakfast this morning. Two dishes went out again and Yellow Ears was again one of those waiting. All at once all the cats went on alert and began to run erratically back across the yard and down the hill. Not one came back. I went out on the deck and could hear the pilings being driven in for a sea wall a short distance away. That noise was of great concern to the cats.

The capture cage sat alone on the porch. We took the time to do some measuring. It's a much smaller cage than the one we usually borrow. We figure this is a kitten capture cage. Our measurements showed us that if one of our cats (who are pretty well full grown) went inside, they would trip the cage door before their tail was inside. Ouch! We don't want to hurt our cats, so the cage went back to the vet and we will wait to return to capture mode when the larger cage is available.

Capture Mode

We borrowed a capture cage from our vet and set about coaxing Yellow Ears into it. She's the only female in the colony that has not been spayed. Yellow Ears is our least aggressive cat, so we set out only two bowls of cat food. Yellow Ears is always last to eat because she will not challenge one of the other cats, even those younger than she is. When the rest of the cats had eaten their fill, we took the bowls of food away and set out the capture cage with food inside. Yellow Ears kept coming back every couple hours, but would not go near the capture cage. We'll try again tomorrow. She'll be very hungry by then.

Back from the Vet

Pepper was released by the vet earlier today, and she is now back home. Unlike her sister and mother who went off to be by themselves for a couple days upon their return home from surgery, Pepper has stayed near the condo and was scratching and looking into our windows that same night.

Off to the Vet

Pepper had been spending a lot of time with Blackie over the weekend so we were motivated to get her to the vet. We didn't deem it a difficult catch because Pepper is pretty tame and usually lets me pet her and even pick her up. I did that this morning and all was fine until Erv came out with the cat carrier. She fought valiently and bit me several times in the finger. Ouch. I let her get away. By then, however, she was in the house; and off she went. Alex chased her and (we're proud to say) herded her into the guest bathroom where we finally got her. We wrapped her in a towel which helped to calm her down and put her in the carrier. Unfortunately by then my finger had leaked blood in quite a few places. We're glad bathrooms are easier to clean up than most other rooms. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.

New Face in the Yard

Late this afternoon I noticed a large yellow cat in the back yard. It is about the same size as the yellow longhair that fathered Mama Cat's first litter. This cat, however, is shorthair and a much lighter shade of yellow. It seemed to be headed for the porch and I ran for my camera, but it was gone when I got back. Scarface and Harley were watching the cat from the roof of the condo, but they did not seem overly concerned to see it.

What a View !

There's always a window nearby, so Alex our housebound Maine Coon seldom gets bored. And there's usually one or more cats in the view outside the window (in this case, Pepper and Blackie).

Missed Kodak Moment

I opened the door this morning to take breakfast out to the cat colony. Harley stepped into the house while most were milling impatiently around my feet and spied Alex who usually sits close by to observe. Harley approached Alex nose to nose. I forgot my camera while I waited for a cat fight. But no - just a kiss and she was back outside for breakfast.

Back to Business

Sunshine and a little rain have gotten rid of most of the snow in the back yard. The cats have been quite busy lately revisiting their property now that it is not hidden under the snow.

Setting the Table

Looks like a lot of cat food for Pepper, doesn't it? The cats do not share. So, every morning I set out 6 dishes. I started out with the small oval dish for Mama Cat. When the first 3 kittens came to eat, I added the 2 round CAT dishes. Yellow Ears was always the one who waited for a dish to open up. I shopped for more dishes, but could not find any I thought were satisfactory. So I set out the plastic container to accommodate Yellow Ears, too. When the second 2 kittens joined in I added the two paper plates (sometimes they double as cat frisbees). Blackie makes 7 cats, but he generally shows up after some of the cats have eaten. Actually, about one CAT dish of cat food comes back inside each evening - but that's still a lot of food for 7 cats. At least it's a lot based on how much Alex eats each day. Guess the colony cats get in a lot more exercise outside.

Just Like Dad

Little Rollo likes to spend time with Blackie. Just like a little boy, he mimics the things he sees his dad doing. Blackie's head is big and doesn't fit well in a couple of the food dishes, so he flicks out some food with his paw and then eats off the rug. Now Rollo flicks out cat food and eats off the rug, too.

Possum in Condo

The possum came back last night, and my camera was nearby. We had taken the food inside. I opened the door to take a picture and the possum hurried into the condo.

Raccoon Visit

At about 10 pm last night the back yard security light went on. I glanced out to see which cat had triggered it on their way out into the back yard. Nothing. About 2 minutes later 2 raccoons made their way away from our back porch and down the cat path. I guess that allowed just about enough time for them to check out the feeding area and find that there was no cat food to be had.

Rollo and Dad

Little Rollo is displaying all the little boy attributes of wanting to be just like Dad. When Blackie comes to eat, Rollo shows up too. When Blackie is out and about in the back yard, Rollo is usually around trying to get his attention.

Breakfast

We treated ourselves to breakfast at Cracker Barrel this morning. But now before the colony and Alex received their breakfasts.

Lake Tracks

We had a small amount of snow last night and the cats were all away at breakfast time, though they came back soon after the food went out. It's very unusual for them to be away so early, but they are quite intent on making lots of tracks through the new snow. I guess they are getting the "lay of the land" again.

This picture shows cat tracks out on the lake, which is now frozen. Hope those cats remember that there is water under the ice.

Breakfast Lineup

How's this for a Valentine's Day greeting? It's Sunday and the cats had to wait until after the 8 AM church service for breakfast to be served. Even Mama Cat was waiting, but a bit off to the side.

Kittens Have Names

We've settled on names for the two gray kittens. The female is Pepper. The male is Rollo. Pepper has white feet, and is on the right. Rollo (all gray) has his back to us.

It's about time. The gray kittens are almost full grown.

Cozy Condo

Last night the temperature dipped to 5 degrees. Last evening the remote temperature in one condo was 20 degrees. All the cats but Mama Cat crowded into that condos. At 5:30 am this morning the remote thermometer said the temperature in that condo was 62 degrees.

I wonder if any of the cats had to get up during the night and make a trip to the back yard potty. The necessary unwinding would have been a sight to see.

Mama Cat is still "Mad"

Mama Cat seems to be making a habit of coming early for breakfast with the rest of the colony. She still goes off at night to sleep by herself, though. She does not seem to be over her "Mad", because she hisses and lashes out at any of the cats who come close to her dish and then leaves as soon as she is finished eating. She prefers to drink from the heated bird bath instead of the heated dish we set out for the colony.

Guess Who Came For Breakfast?

Today is the first morning since her surgery (over a month ago) that Mama Cat was waiting for breakfast with all of her kittens. Perhaps she is over her "MAD". We're really hoping so.

Help Name the Kittens

They're getting pretty big and we still have not settled on names for the two gray kittens.

Kitten No. 1 (left) is dark gray with tabby markings, white ruff and feet. We are pretty sure this is a female, but to be on the safe side we have come up with "Pepper." She likes to play and is quite curious. What name would you suggest?

Kitten No. 2 (right) is light gray, with muted tabby markings in varying shades. We think this is a male. I initially suggested "Ashley". However, I have since scrapped that name as being too gentle. He is somewhat of a bully, pushing siblings away from the food dishes or whatever else he wants. He follows Blackie a lot, looking like he is trying to impress his dad.

Anybody have any ideas?

Crowded Condo

All five cats but Mama Cat appear to be crowding into one of the condos at night. Sometimes Blackie slinks out in the morning, making that count six cats. This has been the case ever since the possum hid from my cane inside the other condo about 2 weeks ago.

Old Softie

Due to our new night visitors, I try to take the cat food in before dark. Of course, any cats in the immediate vicinity all put on their hungry faces. Erv was there the first time this happened, and he insisted that I should leave some sprinkles on the carpet. I thought they could survive until morning. Old Softie took out a cup of catfood and sprinkled it on the rug.

Raccoon Comes to Dinner

After dark last night the cats had a new visitor for dinner. We spied a raccoon chomping away. The cats don't seem to mind - they sit there like good hosts. They don't eat with their guest; they just watch. It took a lot of yelling to chase the raccoon away.

Go Away Possum

Last night Granddaughter Krissy and her friend Katie were at our house when I spied a possum chowing down on cat food. I grabbed one of Erv's canes and went out waving it and yelling. It looked up and charged into one of the condos. We were all yelling at the possum and I was at the back of the condo banging with the cane. The possum just sat in the condo. We could see it looking out, but no way was it going to come out. (What possum would give up carpeting and a floor heater.) We finally left it and after we went away it crawled out and ambled away. Today Krissy said that her friend Katie was laughing and telling schoolmates all day about my pounding and yelling at the possum in the cat condo.

Good Morning !!!

We did not see the two little kittens all day yesterday. This morning we were greeted by the sad picture of the two longhairs sitting on top of the condos, side by side, head to head, looking out to the back yard - and still no kittens in view. Once they saw movement in the house, the cats started lining up near the door. Yellow Ears strolled out of the condo, then one kitten, then the second kitten. They were all very hungry, particularly the kittens. I had taken the food dishes in early last evening because the possum showed up earlier than usual. And, of course, we have no idea what the kittens were up to all day yesterday. It's the first day we remember that they did not hang around the condos. Well, it turned out to be a good morning after all.

Missing for Breakfast

All three of the older kittens were waiting for breakfast this morning; but, alas, there has been no sign of the two younger ones (and they are usually around early in the morning). We hope that the little ones spent the night with Mama Cat, who still prefers her old homestead to the condos. We'll keep on the lookout for them.

Playground

When the longhairs were younger they used to play in 2 pots of artificial flowers on the back porch. When we installed the 2 condos on the porch we added 2 more flower pots and all now contain artificial holly. The current kittens like to play in them as well. Even their older siblings crawl through every now and then.

Hunting

We are very amazed as we watch our cats go into hunting mode. This morning one of the gray kittens spied a robin sitting nearby on the porch. Immediately her body went completely still - even her hind leg which had been trailing behind and had not yet left the condo porch. Unfortunately for the cat, but fortunately for the robin, the bird flew away before she could pounce. The bird's senses were also acute.

A couple nights ago, Erv awoke to see a large dark shape cross the back of the yard. Immediately, the two longhairs, Scarface and Harley, came out of the condo and headed for the back yard, crisscrossing each other's paths as they picked up and followed the trail.

Blackie Moves In

We're pretty sure that Blackie is the two gray kittens' dad. He started to show up in our back yard at the appropriate time. At first, we tried to discourage him, but food available every day and our cat colony is a huge draw. So we have often seen this view of him sneaking up for a meal. He has now apparently achieved the ultimate. This morning when I came out with the food dishes he scrambled out of one of the condos. Apparently he is a late sleeper. The colony cats are always up and waiting for me.

Taking Temperatures

Our outside temperatures have remained below freezing so far this month, and Erv has been wondering how warm the condos are. The kittens always spend the nights in the condos, and someof the time the other cats do too. Mama Cat rarely spends the night in a condo - she still keeps pretty much to herself. Anyway, Erv found a thermometer with a remote reader and installed it in the condo. The first reading (morning) was only 20 degrees (it had been zero degrees the night before. This morning it was 34 degrees (we're in a warming trend). That's probably pretty comfortable when about 3 cats curl up together on the carpeted floor which is over a heating pad. They all have pretty thick winter coats.

New Toy

The kittens love to play. They chase plastic leaves and flowers and each other's tails. We thought they would get a lot more mileage from one of Alex's toys than he does (one sniff and Alex usually lets them alone). So we appropriated a small stuffed mouse. That mouse has been pushed around mercilessly. They steal it away from each other and sometimes the winner picks it up and takes it into the condo only to bring it back out soon thereafter.

Plowed Path

We got 7 inches of snow yesterday - on top of the 3 we already had. Jim, our handyman, stopped by late in the afternoon to clear our walk. He always checks on the cats, and yesterday he cleared a path for them so they could more easily get to their hillside.

New Water Dish

The colony now has a heated water dish. Unfortunately, the only one we could find was a dog dish, so it's quite large. The kittens can reach it, but it's also fun to climb up and perhaps dip a paw into the water. Luckily, no one has fallen in - yet. Note Blackie, the father of the two kittens, who is seriously trying to move in.

Cat Highway

The sun has been shining, enough to melt down snow on the flat stone borders to the flower gardens. The cats are no fools, and these highways help keep their feet dry.