Rocket, the Queen

LOL...."covered in mud"....
This photo is Rocket in one of her favorite sunning spots. On top of our avery patio. Its kinda funny because she climbs up the side of the avery to get there and climbs head first down (the cage is double layer chicken wire siding to protect the birds from hawks).

Ahh, okay, so I should take photos from different angles, instead of just 3 from the same angle. That totally makes sense.

Yes, Link's eyes are a bit mesmerizing. I'd be staring at his eyes most of the day. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't like that.

Do you mean you have an actual enclosed bird aviary?  How does that work with the cats being around? Don't they bother the birds?

(Oh, and can you "please not tell Queen Rocket", that instead of me looking through cat photos on my computer, like I said I would, I instead started watching the 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.   

I'm sure 'cat Queen Rocket' would think that 'my priorities are seriously mixed up', since instead of cats, I was watching a Rocket Raccoon.   

So far it's hilarious, but I'm only one third of the way in.) Thanks for the suggestion. 

We have an outdoor aviary with parakeets in it. Years ago we bred them but our birds got too old to breed safely so they've just been living out their old age. We have two young ones we bought last year but all the rest are over 10 years old. Our oldest is probably closer to 15. Its about 10 feet wide, 10 feet tall and 8 feet deep with a double door entry. The floor is bricks so we can spray it down and slops to a drain that water the orange tree, their water dish is also on the watering system so it is a bowl that overflows daily and the run off also waters the orange tree. The set up is such that the birds could be without human contact for a month and still be good. 

The cats love the bird cage. Rocket sleeps above it most days but when the weather is good and the birds are active they have fun watching them. Sometimes they jump up on the sides but the birds are used to them and while they startle a little they know they aren't in real danger. The sides are double layered with about an inch between. Because otherwise if a bird was hanging out on the side and a hawk flew in (or cat jumped) they could get injured by claws/talons. We have had hawks, owls and other wildlife try to get in. The hummingbirds love to get feather fluff for nests off the cage sides though. 

You can see it out of focus in the background of this picture of Link (don't worry, he wasn't allowed outside alone that young, I was doing an Easter photo shoot of him as a baby in the yard):

.


More in focus but still in the background.


Rocket sitting in the plant shes definitely not supposed to be in trying to catch a bird.


We also have a little box turtle who lives in the yard. She's hibernating right now. But the cats pretty much ignore her existence. Honestly, I think she scares them and I've seen them run away from her when she is out and about. But Speedy is probably 7 inches across; she's full grown and somewhere around 20-30 years old if not older. We've had her for 10 years and she was well past full grown then. 



We've also had free range rabbits around cats before (not our current group) and the rabbits used to chase the cats more than the cats chased them. 

I am pretty sure Rocket will forgive you... assuming you have cat company with the movie. Plus you are watching her namesake. She usually is asleep on my lap when I watch movies. Although, I watched the new Ghostbusters and both Rocket and Link were completely entranced by the big fight scene.

Kieka said:

...
I am pretty sure Rocket will forgive you... assuming you have cat company with the movie. Plus you are watching her namesake. She usually is asleep on my lap when I watch movies. Although, I watched the new Ghostbusters and both Rocket and Link were completely entranced by the big fight scene.

Click to expand...

Forget that I said "photography is a good hobby"...some of your photos are reminding me of a professional photographer taking them. I am beginning to wonder.

The way you blurred the background, (in the above photo), and got Link to be in such focus and the composition, too, is just beautiful.

(also the first photo of Link, back in Post #12, looked amazing, with the lighting.)

Your back yard is an 'animal oasis'.   Or maybe it's more of an oasis for people.

I think I'd go out, and sit by the birds, when I needed some energy, since birds always seem to be doing something.

Then, for some relaxing moments, go and sit by the cats.

And if I really needed peace and quiet, I'd go and meditate with your turtle.

You have to tell me the story of how "Speedy the turtle" got her name? There has to be a story behind that.

(My cousin had a very small turtle, once, when I was a little kid,...and I cannot see them being 'fast moving', or any bit of speed to them at all.) Lol.

I'm glad that the cats are afraid of her.

(Oh, and yeah...I am kind of addicted to 'Guardians of the Galaxy' now.   I think I have to watch it a few more times.

The story is unique and funny. The special FX are fantastic. The characters are brilliant. Groot is my favourite. A few heart strings pulled, but understandable. And I cannot wait for Part 2. I had to go on youtube to watch the trailer to Guardians of the Galaxy 2, which comes out in april or may, 2017. I'm putting it on the christmas list.

Last year's favourite was Star Trek 2009...this year it's going to be Guardians.)   

Yes, I did have cat company while watching the movie. It always seems that Archer likes to lay beside me, while I watch.  

I did see the Ghostbusters movie, but none of my cats were paying attention, as your Rocket and Link were.  That big fight scene was pretty wild.

I fully intend on a longer reply. But Link just rebroke his leg AND I have a work deadline for a $50 million contract. So sorry for the delay probably tomorrow.

Kieka said:

I fully intend on a longer reply. But Link just rebroke his leg AND I have a work deadline for a $50 million contract. So sorry for the delay probably tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Oh, no.

Sending you all the vibes in the world for Link.

Don't worry about the timing of any reply. If you have time on the weekend, then that may be better.

Just take care of Link, yourself, and concentrate on work...as best you can.

Gosh, that's all that matters. Sending you all positive vibes and virtual hugs.                For all the cats, too.

Our backyard is an oasis by design, all credit to my Mom. We were actually on a garden tour last year and we had a few people who picked a chair and zoned out in our yard for an hour or two. 

Speedy really is very speedy but she came with the name. Someone was getting rid of her because they were having a kid and she made her way to my brother. He moved out and didn't have room for her so she stayed. We've caught he a good 3 feet up the fence in the corner when she somehow wedged herself between the two walls and scooted up. She also has a habit of randomly appearing and disappearing. I've gone in the house to grab my phone or camera and she is gone when I get back out. Typically she will hang out near the back door when she wants food but otherwise just goes where she wants in the yard. 

I appreciate the compliment but no professional photographer. I usually am just on my phone camera but sometimes I use real cameras. I just enjoy taking photos and take enough to get some lucky shots, lol. Here are some non-cat ones that I have on my computer at work that I like. 

Kieka said:

 
Our backyard is an oasis by design, all credit to my Mom. We were actually on a garden tour last year and we had a few people who picked a chair and zoned out in our yard for an hour or two. 

Speedy really is very speedy but she came with the name. Someone was getting rid of her because they were having a kid and she made her way to my brother. He moved out and didn't have room for her so she stayed. We've caught he a good 3 feet up the fence in the corner when she somehow wedged herself between the two walls and scooted up. She also has a habit of randomly appearing and disappearing. I've gone in the house to grab my phone or camera and she is gone when I get back out. Typically she will hang out near the back door when she wants food but otherwise just goes where she wants in the yard. 

Click to expand...

I still love looking at this thread, because of the photos, and stories, too.

Is that last photo, in the series, the Grand Canyon? Or is it somewhere else?

The other photos are beautiful, as well. Breath-taking, actually. And amazing colours.

I'm a little confused about this 'garden tour' thing.

Do you mean strangers just walk into each others yards, and sit and relax? Wow.

(I'm only okay with the mailman walking up to my house. Anyone else....no.  )

Speedy sounds like she blends in well, with the backyard. Hence, the disappearing and appearing. Now, I get why she's called Speedy.

Oh, I do have a cat question:

You mentioned that Link likes to 'talk to himself'. Do you mean he mumbles, meows, trills?

What is he actually doing, when he 'talks to himself'?

The last is the Grand Canyon as is the sunset with the shadowed branches but the red lantern is from Calico Ghost Town. Thank you 9u for the complments and I am glad you enjoy this thread so much. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Sorry, completely missed the garden tour thing. It was a cahrity fundraiser. They picked 6 gardens within our city for it. People bought tickets and the day of drove to, spent time in each yard and had lunch. The money went to a childrens hospital for soecifically for abused children. At our house people walked around, sat on rockers and enjoyed the atmosphere. We have old school dinner bells as a gate bell and front door bell that the mailman enjoys ringing when he drops off mail.

Link just randomly makes sounds. Meows, thrills, chripsn and mumbles depending on his mood and whats going on. If people are in the room it is generally quieter. When he is alone and looking he is louder. I wish I could post video on here. But the thrilling and chirping are most common when he is just walking around and people are within sight or sound. He thrills a lot when he walks into a room unless you acknowldge him.

Here are some holidays shots.

Honestly, just waiting for the day to end at work and all caught up so I figured I would post some more random photos: 

Huntington Library


Huntington Library


Winchester Mystery House 


NASA Jet Propulsion Labs 


Living Desert Wildlife Center


Rose Gardens : LA Natural History Museum


Winchester Mystery House 


Huntington Library 


Garden Tour - One of the other homes, the owner makes yard art from junk. 


San Diego Zoo


Griffith Observatory - That is my brother and his wife


Somewhere along the 1 along the California coast


My Instant Camera and some used film


Hope you enjoy

Hope your Christmas Holidays went well, and that all humans and animals are recovering, relaxing, and enjoying the 'after holiday' time.

Sometimes it takes a while to get back into the normal eating, drinking, sleeping routines. (I think it's all the sugar eaten over the holidays.)

I love the above holiday photo of Rocket.

Does she ever remind me of a Queen, coming out on her balcony, 'raised platform,'...and making a general appearance for her 'public subjects'. 

After the appearance, she probably goes back to napping.

Fury, also looks super-dapper, in his candy-cane striped bow tie.

Looks like he's going to the Christmas Gala at the White House, or something. Maybe Fury has to be dressed, elegantly, for the appearance of Queen Rocket.

Link's talking to himself, trilling, chirps and mumbles,...does remind me of Archer, who does the same thing when walking room to room.

Seems that some cats like to 'announce' that they just entered each room, and are exploring.

I think they want us to get up, and join them, but then get all quiet, and leave.  Maybe it's a form of 'singing to oneself', and we humans just don't know the tune.

(yeah, I think that a member has to first upload a video to Youtube or Vimeo, and then embed it here. They don't allow links to videos, here, due to spam.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/image-and-video-tutorial#user_imagesposts)

(California looks awesome. And I really did not know that The Grand Canyon, in Arizona gets any snow. Learn something everyday.

Those other photos are beautiful...so many different textures, and colours.

I imagine that the '1 on the coast' is the famous one, where all the t.v. shows, and movies from the 80's had film scenes from. Must be amazing to drive along the coast.)  

 Your cat was so adorable.   

Dyosa said:

ix: ix:  Your cat was so adorable. :bigthumb:  

Click to expand...

Thank you

I thought I would share the saga of Rocket and Link relationship through photos. This is a typical encounter...

Rocket is sleeping

What are you doing sister?

I'm just going to hang out back here..... Rocket is disturbed.

Why did you jump on my bed?

Ready... fight....

Racing around the house. Jumping over things. On and off the bed for 20 minutes followed by.....
Rinse and repeat 4 times a day. Sometimes I am not sure if they love or hate each other. [emoji]128517[/emoji]

Love. That is definitely love.        

Especially that last photo, where they each have their side of the bed.  

"Rinse and repeat 4 times a day"....is a hilarious way to phrase it.  

I don't blame Rocket, though. That third photo shows Link being a bit 'too loud' ...'hanging out behind her'.

No wonder Rocket was disturbed.

Beauty sleep is important.