Saturday, August 28, 2010

CATS, BIRDS AND ONE MORE PAINTING

The shelter where I volunteer has many cats and kittens.  In one room they have four cats together, living communally.  Two of them are about 5 years old -- not the prettiest cats but they are my favorites because they have the sweetest nature.

 This is STERLING, obviously because he is silver in color.


Here he is again looking lovingly at me.  He follows me around the room.  When I move to another place to sit, he follows.  He would sit and let me pet him all day I think. His fur is not the soft, cuddly kind and his eyes have a hint of copper to them as in the second picture.  His soul-mate is...

MASON.  
A sweet ginger cat.  He came in with an abscess and had to have surgery.  The fur is beginning to grow back now.  But again he has a sweet, sweet nature.  He and Sterling have been at the shelter for about two months now and are the best of friends.  Too bad they are bypassed because of their looks, when they would make just ideal pets. 

In the same room is SUNNY.
She is a Manx tortoiseshell (tailess).

She also loves to be petted by the hour, but she's a bit of a loner when it comes to the other cats.  If they get too close to her she hisses, so like the good natured cats they are they avoid her.  She is about five years old also.  But she has absolutely no problems with humans.  She has been in this room about two weeks.  Too bad I couldn't get a photo of her facing the camera. 
The cats have all kinds of cushions, blankets, and kitty furniture with hidey holes.  
These are my three favorite cats because I get to interact with them every time I go in for as long as I like.


Now come THE BIRDS...
Every afternoon you will find the sparrows and finches sitting in a row on my fence in the afternoon sun.  There are ten in this picture counting the one in the bushes.  But I have counted as many as seventeen, with even more in the hibiscus.  They look like they are in school.  I had to take this photo through the kitchen window.



These two photos are of the phoebe.  It is a fly catcher and usually sits on the fence where the sparrows are, but has now chosen an old palm leaf close to the feeders.
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Finally, here is my painting of the white crowned sparrow, done for Wanda's Challenge. Click on this to visit Wanda and her Laundry Room Art Studio.



16 comments:

mrsnesbitt said...

Love the birds on the fence - a panal each? How organised! lol!

Autumn Leaves said...

My heart breaks a little each time I see and hear of your visits, Chris. I know the cats must absolutely love having some one on one attention. I so wish they all had forever homes.

I too thought the sparrows sitting on the fence were awesome looking. Your drawing is exquisite!

jabblog said...

I think your favourite cats are really quite special. I hope they find good homes together.

Anonymous said...

time you took a cat or two home!!!

Wanda said...

With all your cat pictures, I thinking that should be one of our art challenges. Cats and kittens!

Love your sparrow...it's posted! Sandy wants to know if you will do a coopers hawk??

MorningAJ said...

Sterling is gorgeous!I can't believe he'll be without a proper home for long. All my cats are rescue boys, of course. And I always choose black ones because they have trouble rehoming them because stupid people think they're bad luck!

Your painting is fantastic too. Well done.

The Crusty Crone said...

Love your bird painting... looks like the bird is going to hop off at any moment.

And all those little birds on the fence. What a treat to see. I'm going to assume you have something good to eat in your yard... or else they're there to taunt a cat or two. "ha ha Ya can't get us!!"

Anonymous said...

That is a nice white crowned sparrow you did.

My backyard fence is crowded all day with sparrows. I think they are getting ready to migrate. or they know something I don't know.

The phoebe is a new bird to me. Never saw one here. I thought it was a deformed chickadee at first glance.

duopastorale said...

Love the cats, and the painting is super!

claude said...

Beautifuo cats and I love the birds on the fence.
Beautiful drawing !

photowannabe said...

Great painting of the sparrow Chris. I really love the row of them on the fence. they must be having some important deliberation about something.

kaybee said...

I love the expression on Mason's face - I'd like to draw him sometime.

Cherdecor said...

The pictures of the cats would make a lovely painting.

Your birds seem very organized about where they sit. It must be school time!

My grandmother's name was Phoebe. Hmmmm!

Morning's Minion said...

I've often thought there is no such thing as a really homely cat--some are plain, for sure, but these all look so appealing. Your descriptions of them might help them to find new homes--maybe something about each cats' personality should be posted next to the cages so that prospective cat fanciers could make informed choices.

ChrisJ said...

M.M: They do put a description of the cat along with a photo to match and also something positive about their personality on the windows. In fact I have put up a few myself. But this is kitten season...

sandy said...

I love that bird, you did a great job (I thought I already commented but don't see it)..