We have a real wild mama cat who lives here on the farm. We haven't been able to catch her and get her to the vet yet. Her name is Damn Cat for that reason.
Last fall, Damn Cat had three kittens. We've been able to catch one of the kittens (Shazam) - and we've only been able to do it once. But once was enough to get her to the vet to be fixed! This is Shazam. Still wild as can be if we get too close to her. She will come up on the patio to eat but dashes off if we get to close.
The sun was peeking in under the covered patio, so I sat in a chair and just waited (camera in hand) for something to happen.
Shazam hopped up in one of the patio chairs in a spot of sun and decided it was a great time and place for a bath!
I got these two shots taken, and that was enough bravery, and bath, for Shazam.
Off she went.
Larry, another fairly wild kitty, found a place in the sun too, right next to my sad looking Petunia plant. She looks awfully cute. Yup, Larry's a she. Usually yellow striped cats are males, but we seem to have a high percentage of female yellow striped cats! Damn Cat included! And Curly! And Curly Too! Sometimes they get named before we learn if they're male or female. Sometimes, it's only when Uncle Mike (our vet) does surgery that we learn what gender they are...this is how Larry got her name. Oops!
All of the animals around here are very well fed. Wild cats included. These two don't really look all that wild in these photos, but I'd like to see you try and catch them! *grin!*
The cats are always very aware of where we are, and what's around them. And if one of us has a fish net in our hand, you can bet there won't be a cat in sight. That's ok with us though. As long as we can catch them at least once, that's all that matters. We'll get Damn Cat eventually.
PS: Thank you for all the kind comments about my photos. I'm so happy to know that other people enjoy them, as I do. I'm grateful that they allow me to share our life on the farm with you.
Some of you have written to me and asked about the camera I use. Here's some information I wrote last year about this time that goes into a bit of detail on my photo gear. Since writing that post, I've also added a Canon 180mm Macro lens to my bag, and a Canon G9 to my bag as well. I'm probably a junkie. *wink*
Enjoy what's left of the weekend!
What lucky cats to find a home with you. I love shazam's face. how handsome
Posted by: Debbie D. | July 17, 2008 at 12:24 PM
WOW, Anna you are just one ball of talent!
Posted by: Kristi Ferro | May 07, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Great photos ! Love seeing all the animals, wild or not. Always something interesting to view! I know Spring is a lively time on a farm!
Posted by: Patty W | May 07, 2008 at 07:35 AM
I just *had* to comment on this post. I am a cat nut! Anything cat related I'm all over it. Especially feral/wild cats. I volunteer in my community on the trapping/spaying/releasing of these beautiful babies. We have several colonies that are now "protected" by the counties. It is truly rewarding. And it is so awesome to see some living the good life on the farm with you!
Posted by: Tracy | May 05, 2008 at 03:09 PM
LMBO about Curly and Curly Too...reminds me of that old sitcom with darryl, darryl, and my other brother darryl. Great photos, wish we could see that Damn Cat!!
hugs,
HOlly
Posted by: Holly Murphy | May 05, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Nice cat photos. :) Larry looks alot like my Bibby. She's a big girl and quite the scrapper.
The other day I was at my friends' farm, and since so much was blooming, I went on a photo safari. Their horses cracked me up! All three of them were so spooked by the camera either clicking or the flash going off. They'd shy and then sneak back in case I had a treat. Next time!
We haven't even planted petunias! Yours look really nice. :)
Shala
Posted by: SWJC | May 05, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Phabulous Pheline Photos!! I LOVE the stories and photos so much!! Your photography looks very professional.TFS.
Posted by: Juanita | May 05, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your pictures around the farm. Whenever I get your email I'll have my 5 year son come and look at the pictures of the animals on "Dixie Cups Farm". I personally love the names of your cats!
Posted by: Julie | May 05, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Those pictures are wonderful!!!
Posted by: Diane Lapointe | May 05, 2008 at 08:30 AM
I just wanted to tell you that Splitcoast led me to your blog, and what a treasure I've found here! I love that you spay your barn cats ~ yippee for you :) I live in town and we have 10 indoor pets (I call the birds and squirrels our outdoor pets) and the most recent addition is a Golden Retriever puppy. We are an animal family.
I love putting your photos on as my desktop background on my laptop. My daughter is 7 and she loves to see your pictures and hear about your animals too.
Thanks so much for sharing your photos and life on the farm with us ~ it is truly a gift.
Posted by: Nancy | May 05, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Oh my!! These are great photos and gorgeous kitties!! "Damn Cat" is cracking me up!!
FYI - My husband now regularly asks me about Dixie & Dixie Cup, so yeah, we enjoy your creatures, great and small!!! You brighten my day every day!!
Posted by: Lydia | May 05, 2008 at 04:21 AM
Just love reading about and seeing all your critters:) My neighbors have a steer that has such a personality. He loves to give me kisses on my arms and takes the water hose from me when I fill up his trough:) We both wind up with a shower!LOL DH calls me EllyMae even though I am currently critterless. He says I can't have a horse because when it gets hot(We live in AZ) I would want to bring it in the house:) Not true, but I would expect an air conditioned barn!LOL Sorry for the long post, just wanted you to know your stories and pictures bring a smile to my face everyday:)
Karen
Posted by: Karen | May 04, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Anna, What wonderful photo's of the "wild" kitties. You know what a cat lover I am. Of course I love seeing all your critters and reading about life on your farm. Be sure to check out my own blog tomorrow as I am introducing a new member of our family.
Hugs
Posted by: Ida | May 04, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Oh, LOVE the kitty pics...they are great! I have 7 kitties, most of them in and out; I just LOVE cats. Could NEVER live without a cat...Thank you for sharing these wild ones with us! They are beautiful! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | May 04, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Curly and Larry...hmmm. Perhaps Shazam (although I love the name) should be renamed "Mo." They are beautiful cats, and your photos are great.
Posted by: Pat - An Arkansas Stamper | May 04, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Thanks for the laugh!! Shazam and Damn Cat, LOVE how you pick their names!! Your pictures always amaze me, they are so fantastic ~ you should have them in a gallery. Love the stories you share as well. I look forward to visiting every day. Thanks so much for sharing everything with us ~ it's enjoyed so much!!
Posted by: Dotty | May 04, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Love the pictures, and your blog is always so entertaining and I find myself checking daily to see what is happening now on your farm. Your narratives are a bright spot in my day TFS Ann
Posted by: Ann Lind | May 04, 2008 at 12:27 PM
These are great pictures of your cats. I'm so partial to animals, I'd have a house full if it were feasible. Oh well, I guess I'll just love of the two fur faces I have and accept that that's all I can manage. Love visiting your farm everyday. Kind of like visiting Mr. Rogers, except you have more personality!!!
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | May 04, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I just love reading all your farm stories and browsing through the pictures. Being a complete "City" gal, I can't even imagine! I don't even have a yard that you can let your "wild" kitties roam on! You are so blessed and I just love it!
Posted by: Terr | May 04, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Great pics and you know I love kitties! We have a female orange tabby petiful looking kitty right now...she has washed all the fur off her legs and stomach. Vet said she was fine just a nervous kitty.
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | May 04, 2008 at 10:14 AM
These photos are great, Anna. For a city girl with an indoor cat, I certainly enjoy a taste of a different lifestyle. As an animal nut, I do enjoy the photos. And thanks to your suggestions, I've just picked up the Crafty Secrets Birds and Botanicals; I know they'll be great to work with. Thanks for all the effort you put into your blog, it's always the first thing I check when I power up the computer!
Posted by: diane M | May 04, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Love the kitty photos... I am wishing I had a few here... we are fighting mice in the hay barn. We have one that has starting showing up at night, but during the day you never see it and it is like a flash when I catch a glimps at night. Very WILD! Love the photos as always... and thanks for the info on what camera you use. I would love to get a upgrade this year.
Posted by: Michelle Oatman | May 04, 2008 at 09:57 AM