StrangeRanger

Once Again, The Zoo....

About a week ago, LadyRanger and I went to one of my favorite places.  The Zoo.

I've always felt a bit chagrined about enjoying the zoo so much.  I am always sorry to see animals being so restricted but many are involved in breeding projects to ensure the future of the species.  The zoo recently announced the birth of 9 critically endangered Red Wolf pups!  They were pretty much brand new pups when we visited so we didn't get the chance to see them, them being off in a back area having momma-time.  There was also a recent birth of 3 Sand Cat Kittens!  Similarly, they are pretty new little bits and were off in the back with mom.  They have been released into the public enclosure now, so I may have to make a special trip just to see them.

Now, on to who we actually saw.

I've never seen the gators move much, but they're never in the same place as the last time we came, so I guess they're not inflatable art...

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Nearby is the puma habitat.  They can be pretty reclusive and just watch Netflix in their shelter, but the two cats were out and active.

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I've always been impressed by the mass and solidity of these creatures.

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Next stop; the seals.  This guy likes showing off his belly button.

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The arctic foxes were pretty chill.

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Been a long time since I've had a nap this peaceful.

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Next, the otter.  I will never succeed in getting a good photo of a moving otter.  Ever.

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<sigh> Southern end of a north-bound otter.  I will never be as good at walking on two feet as this guy at swimming.  And he knows it.  He seemed to know he had an audience and really put on a kinetic art display for the kids that came through.

The next beast is a local.  We have a couple around our little house on the highway.  May I present, the barred owl:

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We hear these dudes many times a week.  Never seen one, but they're there.

The bobcat was next!

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He spent a lot of time rumping me.

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Southern end of a north-bound bobcat.  That's going to be a theme of this trip, as you'll see.

Didn't even get to see the black bear's face.

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LadyRanger posits that he was relaxed and rereading his well-thumbed copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.  I can see it.

There were elk...

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...and bison.

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And, of course, Red Wolves.

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Fast and alert, looking out for anything that would endanger the newest members of the species.  I've heard there are only 30 or so left alive in the wild, so the nine new cubs are a big step!  

We finally got to see the ocelot!

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It's not very big so we tend to call it the oce-little.  Sure is a beautiful beastie, though.

And here we have one of the stars of the day, Cosmo the Sand Cat!

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He seemed pretty chill for being a new dad.  But hey, sand cats know they're cool.  And this guy knew he had an audience.  There were small kids squealing with delight inches from his head.  He didn't so much as twitch.  He is a pro at fan service!

We moved on to the red river hog...

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...the giraffe...

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...and the zebra.

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We were in line to feed the giraffes but just before we were up, the giraffes decided they'd had their fill and wandered off.  Next trip, we hit the giraffe-feedings first.

We also got to bask in the glory of, yes....

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...the magnificent southern end of a north-bound elephant!

And here we get to what is probably my favorite picture (when judged solely as a photograph) of the trip.  A common animal around these here parts, but a photo that I am happy with.

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I'm not Ansel Adams, but I'm pleased I got this one.

Have a great week ahead, all!

June 04, 2023 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)

7? Heaven!

Thursday was Daisy's 7th Birthday!

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'Appy Boifday to ME!!

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Don't look a day over 4, do I?  DO I?

Whatever your age, dear, you are beautiful!

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And don't you forget it.

Daisy came to us in October of '16.  Here are a few pics of the early days.

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She carried that mouse everywhere.  Still loves her little mousie toys.  That's why she loses them all!

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Open windows are still a major draw!

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She was a happy kitten, and seems to be a happy grown-up cat!

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She is still quite an elegant cat.

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She is always a delight!

We'll hoist a glass to her in your name, friends.

Have a great week ahead, all!

May 28, 2023 in The Cats | Permalink | Comments (0)

S

Daisy is a scratchy sort of cat.  We've had all sort of scratching options around, but she's always seemed partial to the couch and the edges of the dining table.  This has caused a bit of friction at ChezRanger.  We have finally (!) found a scratch device that she seems to really enjoy.  Her S-shaped scroll-scratcher!

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enh, it's okay.

Daisy also uses it regularly as a lounge chair.  She has one by the couch and one by the dining table.  We hope this gives her a more acceptable target for her scratching urges.  

Yeah.  We know.  Not likely, but we gotta hope.

Have a great week ahead, all!

May 21, 2023 in The Cats | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Rough Month

It's been a rough month.  A dear friend of mine spent a bad month in the hospital and then died.  I am very sad to see him go.

David was a good man.  A former scholarship football player (offensive line), former collectibles-shop go-to employee and strip club bouncer, veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and humble, helpful, sterling guy.  He loved dogs, cats, and his garden.

I will miss him terribly.

I hope you'll forgive me for not posting more over the last several weeks.  I think I'll take next week off as well, unless Daisy does something particularly cute that I actually manage to catch on camera.

I hope you all have a great week ahead.

May 07, 2023 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Making the bed.

Maddie was always willing to help when I made the bed.  She really enjoyed playing lump.  She'd stay there a while, too, enjoying her time as a solitary, primitive cave-kitty.

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Daisy is also a dependable presence during bed making, although she uses it to help hone her hunting skills.  She chases down dangerous wrinkles and pounces on puffed up sheets as they settle.  Daisy also likes playing cave-kitty, though she is more a a "spring from hiding" sort of cat, rather than "solitary contemplation" sort.

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BOO!

Ivy never ever liked to be covered up.  We have no pics of her being a cave-kitty because she never ever got under the covers.  Even on a cold night with the power our, if we put any sort of cover on her, she'd give us a look of absolute disgust, stand up and walk away.  That's not to say that Ivy wasn't invaluable help during bed making.  Oh, no.  Ivy was completely on point.  In a supervisory manner.

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You're doin' it wrong.

It's a wonder we ever got it right before her.

Have a great week ahead, all!

April 23, 2023 | Permalink | Comments (1)

A Throne

We know, all kitties deserve their own throne.  Like, an official one, with scrollwork and gilding, and a cup-holder for people-water, and a seat made of SmartWool brand socks for an ultra-comfy sit.

But really, it seems that wherever a cat rests their butt is their throne.  The quality of "throne-ness" is conveyed to the object rested upon by the quality of "cat-ness" that the cat carries with them through the world.

Thus, Daisy's latest throne:

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LadyRanger was doing the weekly tidying of the couch cushions and placed them in a nice, safe convenient spot.  What do we get?  <POOF!> Throne.  Daisy enjoyed her new, mildly mobile, perch.  She reigned from that throne for a good hour before relinquishing the post and allowing the couch pillows to go back to their more prosaic duties.

She did look like she enjoyed herself, though.

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might have to buy more pillows, just for the rocker.

Have a great week ahead, all!

April 16, 2023 in The Cats | Permalink | Comments (0)

Portrait Under Desk Lamp

And here she is:

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Couldn't ask for a prettier cat!

Have a great week ahead, all, and a happy Easter!

April 09, 2023 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Cat

I was out with my camera the other day, looking for a good pic of our garden, when lo and behold! I witnessed a random Nadine sighting!  You all remember Nadine, right?  The wee orphan kitten who wandered up to our neighbor Ed and thus wrangled herself a great home? 

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Oh yeah...I got him.  No one can resist me....no way he's ever kickin' me out now....

What was even more unexpected was that she actually held still long enough for me to get a picture!  Here is Nadine, all grown up and sitting, just so.

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She always looks to be very alert.  And so pretty!

As for the garden?

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It'll do.

Have a great week ahead, all!

 

April 02, 2023 in The Cats | Permalink | Comments (0)

St. Catty's Day

Here's a quick wish for a delightful week-after-St-Catty's-Day from the cat with the greenest eyes ever!  Maddie!

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The pic doesn't come close to doing them justice, trust me.  They were very green!  Here's another!

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Green green green.  

Daisy's eyes qualify as St Catty's eyes, too.

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Ivy, unique among our cats, had yellow eyes, and thus did not give a fig about St Catty's day.

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Top o' tha maaarnin' to ya, boyo!  okay, that's taken care of....time for snack!

Ivy always knew what was called for.

We hope you had a great 17th and that you have a delightful week ahead!

March 19, 2023 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Classic winter!

This has been a classic, weird, winter around ChezRanger.  It's been warm enough to have some windows open to let in the good, warm, air.  Of course, when the windows are open, Daisy is in them, sniffying the good, warm, breeze.

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She certainly seems to enjoy it.

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How could I not?

Good question....

Have a great week ahead, all!

March 05, 2023 in The Cats | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Recent Posts

  • Once Again, The Zoo....
  • 7? Heaven!
  • S
  • A Rough Month
  • Making the bed.
  • A Throne
  • Portrait Under Desk Lamp
  • Beautiful Day, Beautiful Cat
  • St. Catty's Day
  • Classic winter!
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