Critter Blogging - Fort Magg

Maggie took over the Zappo's shoe carton; it's become her second-place favorite place to hang out, after the donut bed on the chair next to the computer desk.

Critter Blogging, of a Sort

Food Porn of the 60s: look at the layer of fat on that bad boy. Although roast oranges garnished with watercress look like they'd make a great accompaniment to roast meat.

Critter Blogging

These guys, or ladies actually, are living between the screen and the window of my bathroom. I discovered them when the weather got warm and I wanted to open the window. I am patiently waiting for fall and chilly weather, when I can knock them out of the window and get them with bug spray*. They're beautiful creatures, I just don't want them quite so close! They're very alert, and the ones that line up up top seem to be the guardians. As soon as I move the curtain, they're on the edge of the screen, facing in and watching my every move. Another wasp will approach, and they'll touch antennae, apparently to say "look out for the biped on the other side of the glass. Their senses are poor, but they have bad weapons!"

*I don't usually use insecticides. Hornets living in the windows are an exception.

Weekend Critter Blogging

Les animaux du Paris, courtesy of jet-set friends J & S. Pigeon eating dinner, rabbits waiting to become dinner.

Weekend Critter Blogging

A butterfly from the botanic garden at Golden Gate Park.

Weekend Critter Blogging

More pictures from California - I remembered mostly taking pictures of plants, but there's quite a few critters in there, too. These are sea anenomes, of a beautiful seagreen color. Don't know the species. I want to take a course in marine invertebrates! I need a course in Marine Invertebrates!

Weekend Critter Blogging

Haven't been taking many pictures lately - busy with gardening and a new job - so here's another picture from California, taken last fall. These are the famous sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf. They're like big fat cats, stretching and snoozing in the sun.

Critter Blogging

You need to click on this picture to see the detail. The light-colored duck has a sort of ruff of feathers on the back of its head - a deformity that is apparently bred for by some duck fanciers. Odd, but no harm to the duck if it has the gene from only one parent. If it has the gene from both parents, it will die in the egg stage and never hatch. The picture was taken in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, fall 2006.

Critter Blogging, Cats Past

This is the late, great Mu, a non-pedigreed Siamese with true Siamese personality. Leaping from unexpected places, a voice like a baby being scalded, and a serious cuddler.

Friday Critter Blogging

Cephalopods rule!

Friday Critter Blogging, late

Maggie, looking pensive. Yes, that is a crook at the end of her tail.

Friday Critter Blogging

Maggie and ducks.

Friday Critter Blogging

First bug of the season to scare the bejesus out of me by dropping from some hidden spot onto the window next to me. It looks like a tarnished plant bug, but it's much bigger than my trusty Rodale garden guide says it should be.