justpictureit

15 Nov 2008 • 303 views
 
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photoblog image Sharing Space

Sharing Space

My cats are ten years old now. I've trained them from birth to accept birds, butterflies, bees and dragonflies. This is not a very clear shot of the butterfly, sadly, but I hope to someday get a shot of birds with one of the cats. My camera is terribly slow so it may not happen till I have another. The birds often land right beside the cats.  The cats sit by the feeders but never attack them and the birds are well aware of this. It's very satisfying to watch.

Click to Play:
Passing Stranger - Scott Matthews
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - Sting

Let's get together on An Island Walk.

Sharing Space

My cats are ten years old now. I've trained them from birth to accept birds, butterflies, bees and dragonflies. This is not a very clear shot of the butterfly, sadly, but I hope to someday get a shot of birds with one of the cats. My camera is terribly slow so it may not happen till I have another. The birds often land right beside the cats.  The cats sit by the feeders but never attack them and the birds are well aware of this. It's very satisfying to watch.

Click to Play:
Passing Stranger - Scott Matthews
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - Sting

Let's get together on An Island Walk.

comments (11)

very nice that you were able to do that. I have 4 cats--all rescues, 2 stay indoors, and 2 go out (the older ones). I'm afraid they aren't so kind to the birds, squirrels and mice.
Mary MacADNski: I believe I was successful in their training because they never met their mother so had no training to hunt. They were orphaned before their eyes were open. I know a Dawn LeBlanc in NB, by the way.
  • Alan
  • Southampton, on the sunny south coast of England
  • 15 Nov 2008, 07:03
Good for you. Mary. When I had cats, they were generally too lazy to try to catch anything! I'm sure that when a bird was caught, it was generally a suicide attempt. smile Your girl here seems to have something in her sights.
Mary MacADNski: I believe I was successful in their training because they never met their mother so had no training to hunt. They were orphaned before their eyes were open. She was about to jump down and was eyeing her landing.
  • FLOOG
  • The library of my contented soul
  • 15 Nov 2008, 07:08
A simply beautiful composition, Mary. Ten years old and looking mighty fine, and well loved.

I tried to train our two big fellas to leave winged creatures alone, but they simply laughed at me, both being hunters of the highest orders, we are regularly furnished with 'trophies'!

Have a super weekend smile
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, FLOOG. I think I was successful in their training because they never met their mother so had no training to hunt. They were orphaned before their eyes were open.
  • Aussie
  • Brisbane
  • 15 Nov 2008, 08:10
Ours would just be too lazy now to try and capture anything.
Lovely image Mary.
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Aussie. These girls are lazy indoors but love being outside in the garden.
Beautiful shot Mary. I would have been happy to have both the cat and the butterfly on the same picture!
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Richard. The cats spend lots of time on the garden wall and of course the butterflies spend their time among the flowers too.
One of our three the orange one looks at birds and you can see her thinking that she should do something but has no idea what. The little tortoiseshell gets the odd mouse and very occasional bird. The recently addition Black and White Boy does get some birds. We tried a collar but he is expert at getting rid of them!!
Mary MacADNski: Clarke was a hunter also when he came to us at five months. I was afraid he might influence the girls but never did. They think they're people.
  • Astrid
  • Netherlands
  • 15 Nov 2008, 19:02
This is a beautiful composition I have been reading your text, amazing, but why not....it is beautiful to live 'next' to each other.
Lovely flowers, it must be a real treat in your garden.
Mary MacADNski: It's hard to get past the natural instincts that a cat has but since they'd never been "trained" by their mother it was a bit easier.
  • Ray
  • Thailand
  • 16 Nov 2008, 12:02
I think She is smelling the flowers.
Mary MacADNski: She does smell the flowers.
Bravo ! My cats are terrific birds hunter and I supose it's natural but I hate that !!
Mary MacADNski: I've had several like that too and with a background in conditioning and training I thought I'd give it a try. I was very happy it worked.
Our one is 19 and cant catch anything other than in her dreams. Nice shot, jealous of your flowers againsmile
Mary MacADNski: In early autumn, when this photo was taken, there are not many varieties left in bloom but the cat will smell every one.
I love this photograph, Mary! Love the light, the stance of your beautiful cat, the gorgeous glimpse of your garden, and the whole idea of your cats behaving so well towards fellow creatures! This left me with a great big smile on my face. (:o)
Mary MacADNski: Thanks, Rosalyn. They're great kitties and having them live among the birds and bees is very rewarding. We had my daughter's cat Clarke here for a couple of years and I had to stop feeding birds. I loved Clarke but life is nicer and easier when all can get along.

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for this photo I'm in a any and all comments icon ShMood©
camera Canon PowerShot A520
exposure mode full manual
shutterspeed 1/640s
aperture f/4.5
sensitivity unknown
focal length 16.0mm
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