Lovely Sheepies

Catherine - Punk Rock Cat

Here is Catherine. She lives with Janet and Richard in Illinois.
Look at her. Isn't she lovely?

Catherine ' is “resting” from all her hard work. Yes, that’s her toy: Rowdy Rat, which she is using as a pillow.'

She has already visited our blog and check it out here). We are glad she is back again as the cat is known for her special taste:

'Catherine did it again, as she just can’t resist pretending to be a bee where Oriental lilies are concerned.  No harm at all to the plant, but what a chore for her to have to clean herself up.  She WILL, eventually, but in the meantime…. Here is her punk look!

Is that shame I see in those downcast eyes?'

Credits: Citations and pictures by Janet Barnstable

New Guests on The Patio

I have heard their loud chirps a few times. Yesterday, I finally managed to see them.  First I, spotted ten or eleven of them fly away, then I noticed a row of black, little figures sitting, almost vertically, on the flat, outside frame of a window. It was quite a peculiar view: they looked like a wall decoration, sitting in exactly the same position, as stuck to the wall, all of them turning their heads on the right. Some were peeping uncertainly in my direction so I was trying to stand still, not to scare the cute guests resting on our patio. I was happy to see a 'new' kind of local birds.

how they were sitting

 Later I checked that the species is called:
  

Chimney Swift 

Although it reminds a swallow, the two species are not closely related. Chimney swift is a great aerialist. Its beak is tiny (about 0.20"/5mm) though its gape (mouth) is much bigger inside - the bird eats insects and little spiders. An interesting fact is that chimney swift is able to focus both eyes at once or one only/independently. The bird winters in South America and comes back to eastern North America in the summer. The species is protected by law in the US, it is also regarded as 'Near Threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 

Chimney swifts are monogamous birds

Chimney swifts are really cute little creatures (size: 4 3/4 - 5", 12-12.5cm) and I am happy they are in our area too. Hopefully they find home in our chimney.


Picture and birds' voice from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChimneySwift23.jpg
 

It Is Hot Again, Take Good Care of Your Pets!

The hot summer season has already been here and hotter and hotter day are to come soon. Remember - you are not the only one who gets hot and tired in the heat, your pets suffer too! Especially, if they are not hydrated properly. So whether you take them on a trip or leave them at home - provide them with fresh water. Not only you get thirsty when it is hot. So do your pets.

Let them stay in and do not keep them outside too long. Cats and dogs do not have eccrine sweat glands in their skin, so they are not able to cool their bodies with sweat.
Do no take them to the beach - staying in the sun may be fun according to you but not necessarily to your dog. Besides, hygiene on the beach matters too - meaning pets toilet time.
And please, do not leave them in the car when you go to take care of your errands. Even when you think it will only take 5 or 10 minutes. They may not survive it.

The summer is here again. Take good care of your pet!

 

That curious look.......

Our pets enjoying their time out

Pictures shared by Shrader G.