Baby, It’s Cold in Here
Posted: November 30, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, daily photo, fantastic four, mimi, mimi's children, my household of felines | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, five black cats, office cat, pet photography, pets, photography 12 Comments
A pile of five black cats: clockwise from top left, Giuseppe, Jelly Bean, Mimi, Mewsette, Mr. Sunshine.
Ooh, the temperature dropped and we even saw a few snow flurries today! I didn’t have the kitty keep-warm lamps on at my desk, so they had to improvise on the oversized green sh0pping bag that really is underneath them all.
The view above is one from the angle at which you cold see that there were decidedly five black cats in the pile; note Mimi on top of the pile. Well, she is the mom, and this is after she did a little clean-up on each of their faces and ears. The job of a mom cat is never done, but they do keep her warm and make a nice soft bed when they all pile up like that.
The photo below is what I saw when I turned around from my desk. All was quiet but I had a sense of a large gob of cats behind me. Sure enough, there they were. My poor camera, photographing these piles of black cats kind of blows its little electronic cells because it can’t find anything to focus on. It blows my little brain cells too because I can only focus on them.
What I saw from my chair.
It’s good to see the Bean back in everyone’s good graces. If you can’t get enough of seeing five black cats piled up, or four or three, see this collection of images of Mimi’s Children, and Mimi herself, not always piled up, but always together.
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All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
Permission From Your Elders
Posted: September 12, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, cookie, daily photo, jelly bean, my household of felines, senior cats, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, pet photography, pets, photography, tortoiseshell cat 4 Comments
Jelly Bean asks permission from his elder kitty.
Jelly Bean politely asks Cookie’s permission if he can share her blanket for a nap. He’s using his most charming and proper demeanor—tail up with just the tip curved, whiskers and ears forward, eyes alert, patiently waiting, and you can’t hear it but he’s purring fervently.
I’m not sure what will happen if Cookie doesn’t respond within five or six seconds and JB goes to step two in his Manual of Charming Kitty Demeanor, which is to lean down and give her a gentle head-butt…
In case you aren’t acquainted, Cookie is 19 years old and has seen a lifetime of cats I’ve fostered. Jelly Bean is four, and a little naive, but very respectful.
Cookie likes to spend time in whatever room it is that I’m working, but I don’t always want her walking on my paintings or framing, as we are in the studio at the moment. I place a soft folded blanket on my work table for her. The Fantastic Four are so accustomed to sharing with each other it’s taken some time for them to learn that they can’t just go and lie down on Cookie. She has let them know this by sending as many silent but threatening body language signals as possible, and they have learned to understand, though I think they had to go and ask their mother a few times what Cookie’s problem was.
But Jelly Bean has studied his manual well and is the most charming kitty I have ever met, though he’s mostly been practicing on other cats. he is careful with his little big sister.
What Cookie will decide is probably clearly written on her face.
All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used in any way without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
Someone’s Soul is in Danger
Posted: September 10, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, daily photo, giuseppe, jelly bean, mimi, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, pet photography, pets, photography 2 Comments
Basement cats are grabbing some creature's soul.
These three are apparently focusing their powers on something outside, though likely it’s a chipmunk on the front porch. I hope it’s not one of the neighbors on their way to work, or one of the kids on their way to school…
It’s Giuseppe, Mimi and Jelly Bean keeping vigil at the front window for the morning shift.
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
My Daily Distractions
Posted: September 8, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, daily photo, fantastic four, mimi, mimi's children, my household of felines, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, office cat, pet photography, pets, photography 2 Comments
Three Faces
Do they look posed or what? I’m not sure what they’re watching, but it seems totally gripping by their expressions. It might just be Jelly Bean having a bath on the table, or it might be a bird outside the window, I’m just never sure.
But I ask, could you work under these conditions?
This photo, A Pile of Cats and All Cats on Desk were just from the past two days, but this sort of treatment is constant. I am constantly distracted. I’m not sure I can bear up under the weight of all this cuteness.
It’s Mewsette, Giuseppe and Mr. Sunshine, and I like the closeup version of it just as well.
Just three faces.
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
All Cats on Desk
Posted: September 7, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, daily photo, fantastic four, mimi, mimi's children, my household of felines, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, office cat, pet photography, pets, photography, tortoisseshell cats 4 Comments
All Seven on Desk
Okay, there were the five yesterday, and today I had the opportunity to get all seven, which is the typical morning arrangement. They’re not as nicely grouped, but that’s partly because I had to stand up to take the photo, which caused Mimi and Jelly Bean to also get up and get ready to accompany me wherever I was going.
Cookie had been trying to get back on my lap, but I’d never be able to get up then. She and Kelly had been on my lap, and I was trying to keep them both on the keyboard shelf so that I could quickly stand up and take the photo.
From the back this time are Mimi and Kelly on the shelf; on the desk are Jelly Bean, Mr. Sunshine, and Mewsette and Giuseppe cuddled in a heart shape. Cookie is on my keyboard shelf, getting ready to jump down to my chair since it’s nice and warm after me sitting in it.
Heart Cats on Desk
I think the heart shape cuddling is usually Mewsette’s idea. In every photo I have of two of them cuddling in a heart shape, Mewsette is one of the kitties!
Nonetheless, this is what my mornings are like. I gave up keeping my desk neat because anything that is set on it is moved around for kitty comfort. I’m actually looking for a new desk, shelves and whole workspace in this little corner with lots of cubbyholes to tuck things out of kitty reach, so I’m not too concerned at the moment.
As I said about yesterday’s photo, I’m sure they all like me and enjoy spending time with me but I know their dedication to my desk has to do with the “kitty keep-warm lamps”. During the summer I don’t use the task lights very often because the room is generally bright enough, and the lights are just too darned hot. As the air cools and the sun drops down lower in the sky, my office is suddenly darker with all the trees outside. From then I turn the lights on, and if I ever needed a passive cat-herding apparatus it would be these lights. I have actually set up lights elsewhere just to see what happens, and they are immediately popular.
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
A Pile of Cats
Posted: September 6, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, daily photo, fantastic four, mimi, mimi's children, my household of felines, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, office cat, pet photography, pets, photography 13 Comments
A Pile of Cats
If anybody doubted that all five black cats truly pile up on my desk for most of the afternoon while I’m working, here is proof.
Of course, this is after the tortie girls had my lap, desk and keyboard all morning. Mimi joins the senior girls as well, not to be left out of any opportunity, so she spends most of every day at my desk. I told her she needed to learn some job skills if she’s going to spend the morning sitting on my wrist and the afternoon sitting on her children.
I’m sure they all like me and enjoy spending time with me but I know their dedication to my desk has to do with the “kitty keep-warm lamps”. During the summer I don’t use the task lights very often because the room is generally bright enough, and the lights are just too darned hot. As the air cools and the sun drops down lower in the sky, my office is suddenly darker with all the trees outside. From then I turn the lights on, and if I ever needed a passive cat-herding apparatus it would be these lights. I have actually set up lights elsewhere just to see what happens, and they are immediately popular.
From the left, in the front, they are Jelly Bean, Mewsette, Giuseppe and Mr. Sunshine. Mimi came in later, walked on them all touching up ears and foreheads with little mom-baths, then settled down on top of Mewsette and Giuseppe. Jelly Bean initially tried to curl up along the front edge, but kept sliding off onto my keyboard.
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
I Am Still Queen of the Picnic Table
Posted: September 4, 2011 Filed under: cat photographs, cats, cookie, daily photo, my household of felines, senior cats, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, pet photography, pets, photography, tortoiseshell cat 3 Comments
The Queen Upon Her Throne
Here I am on my picnic table observing my realm, and I won’t come in yet no matter what my mom threatens me with.
Mom keeps stuffing things in my mouth, and even though I like the eyedropper stuff that tastes kind of funny I really hate the needle in my shoulders thing! And the other day when I was on my mom’s lap I suddenly felt this change in my body that didn’t come from my mom or anything else, and afterward I was really tired and felt even more sick, but the next day I felt so good I ran out the back door with my mom! Who else is going to keep an eye on her! No one’s been watching her since I haven’t felt well! I’ve felt pretty good since that day, even though I’m not all the way back to the way I felt before.
But one thing hasn’t changed—I love my mom, and she loves me. I’m not unaware of what’s happening to me, I’ve seen it plenty of times before now, but I know my mom will need me for some time to come, and I told her I’d be here for her. Besides that, I want a 100th Birthday Party just like Peaches.
I know a lot of people sent good wishes and healing thoughts—I got them, and I thank every one of you, people, kitties, doggies, and all other species.
[Let me translate Cookie’s interpretation of her care: she had an increase in her thyroid medication, she had one more Capstar to make sure any fleas that found her died in the effort to keep her allergy symptoms to a minimum, I gave her two droppers a day of her high potency liquid vitamins, and between 75cc and 150cc of subcutaneous fluids each day. On Thursday she had a long-distance reiki treatment with Ingrid King when Cookie had stalled in her healing and was exhibiting symptoms of a possible URI with a runny nose and a little head shake; Cookie was lethargic overnight and a little feverish, but the next morning got up before me and was in the kitchen waiting for breakfast—and Cookie is not a morning tortie! She has been gaining energy and feeling sassy once again. Thanks for all your well-wishes because they were an important part of her healing for both of us!
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
Kitty in the Courtyard
Posted: September 3, 2011 Filed under: cat photographs, cats, daily photo, mr. sunshine, my household of felines | Tags: animals, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, pet photography, pets, photography, stray cat, tuxedo cat 2 Comments
Kitty in the Courtyard
I saw this exact kitty skitter across a street when I was photographing something else in that neighborhood and slip through the posts in a gate. Luckily the street isn’t very busy at all, but the cat’s actions, and the way it ran through the gate as if it was heading home, made me concerned that it might be a stray nursing mother cat.
I finished my photo session and slowly rolled down the street in my car; I have often found stray cats are less suspicious of a car moving slowly by on the street than of human footsteps. Even though I was barefoot and walking on a sidewalk, highly unlikely to make much noise myself amid all the ambient noise of a late afternoon in a small town, I felt the car more appropriate.
As I rolled past the gate I saw the cat through the posts on a sidewalk bathing, and the cat saw me. The gate and courtyard were adjacent to an huge old abandoned rooming house that had been condemned after our flood in 2004, but people and animals regularly made it a home. I pulled over and got out leaving my engine running to mask my sounds, and aligned myself with the openings between the slots on the fenceposts.
A good camera with a viewfinder and a zoom lens makes a dandy telescope. I zoomed in on the kitty as it alternately stared at me and sat, turned around and reclined while bathing. A quick check of the white belly didn’t reveal the telltale signs of a nursing mother, and while the kitty was black in the important areas I think I detected the presence of a matched set of identifiers under the tail. Plus his, as we’ll assume, face looked as if it was developing the jowly look of an unneutered male.
As I got closer to the fence he got up and ran to the back of the courtyard. No sign of other cats or of kittens, and I was surprised to see the courtyard looking fairly neat. I’ll swing past there a few times as I pass through that side of town to see if I find more cats. If I do, I’ll talk to the neighbors, of which there are only two left on this street, but I think this one is on his own for now.
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
How Do You Make This Thing Work?
Posted: September 2, 2011 Filed under: black cats, cat photographs, cats, daily photo, mr. sunshine, my household of felines, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, black cat, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, office cat, pet photography, pets, photography 2 Comments
Mr. Sunshine, the engineer cat, tries to figure out how the pen works.
Mr. Sunshine, my engineer cat, picks up my pen and handles it, but can’t figure out how to make it work. I won’t discourage him by telling him it may take opposable thumbs. Mr. Sunshine gets into the messes he does because he’s trying to figure things out and I’m not about to discourage that. And if he figures out how to make the pen work I couldn’t be happier about it!
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
You’ve Really Made a Mess Here
Posted: September 1, 2011 Filed under: cat photographs, cats, daily photo, kelly, my household of felines, tortoiseshell cats | Tags: animals, cat photographs, cats, feline photographs, pet photography, pets, photography, tortoiseshell cat Leave a comment
Kelly observes the mess I've made of her table.
You’ve made quite a mess of my table.
I was planning to have a nice evening nap here, but you’ve completely ruined that possibility.
Do you intend to clean this up?
[The idea of Kelly demanding anything in that way is totally ludicrous, though sometimes she shows a little tortitude. She was not so angry as she was somewhat frightened by all the stuff on her favorite hangout, so I did at least organize my things. Silly human.]
Do you intend to clean this up now?
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.
