I included a photo of a deer camouflaged in thick cover in my photos of my day trip to Northwest Nebraska’s Chadron State Park. What I didn’t do is highlight the photo so you could easily locate the deer.
Here, for those of you didn’t see the white-tailed deer is a clue:
The deer‘s front end is in the yellow circle, but here’s a further enlargement of the whole deer. The yellow arrow points at her head:
Deborah of the cats-to-Paris post has good news for her three kitties: The ‘nip is flourishing! She writes:
My garden has done well this year, but the outstanding crop of the year goes to my catnip plant, which is two years old.
It is in full bloom now.
So I decided to see if the cats appreciated the crop. I brought in a branch and left it on the door of the carrier that André has claimed as his home.
But he is not the principal addict in the family. Soon Charles arrived.
There was a bit of a scuffle. Charles is alpha cat, but André got his turn too.
Fortunately they know when to quit and call it a day, although not without salivating all over me and getting a good scratch on cheeks and tummy.
=(^+^)=
Thanks, Deborah! Not only do your contributions add a nice additional touch of black “cat-ness” to the blog, I enjoy seeing and reading how your kitties are doing!
I took a short trip up to Chadron State Park this morning. It’s close (about 52 miles/84 kilometers) and today is a lovely day for a little trip.
Chadron State Park is Nebraska’s first state park. It was established in 1921.
It’s historic and well-maintained for day trippers, casual campers, serious campers, picnickers, and people who enjoy a day in the outdooors.
The little lake just inside the park has paddleboats. It is a lovely way to spend part of the day!
The scenic drive starts just a short ways past the main gate. Down here, though, concessionaires and picnic facilities are available.
The predominent tree is the ponderosa pine. It is well-established in the Pine Ridge area.
Low rainfall and extreme weather make for slow growth of these ponderosa pines.
“Nebraska is flat and boring.”
The rugged landscape of this part of Nebraska is a major attraction for outdoors activities.
Find the deer!
There are scenic drives through the park, cabins, campgrounds, and many amenities for the less rugged camper.
A major fire some years ago burnt a portion of the park. Lewis woodpeckers, rare to Nebraska, came to the dead trees to live and to harvest insects in the dead wood. One flew over my car when I passed this point.
Time to back up and leave the park overlook!
Back to the flatlands north of Alliance…lots of corn grown around here.
As always, Andy (top) and Dougy waited patiently for me to return home. (Nothing was torn up, so I presume they were good boys!)
These two videos by other people give you a further look at the park and the 2012 fire in the park and area south of Chadron, Nebraska. Though one is saddened to see the effects of such fires, the fires (often started by lightning) open up the habitat, create new food and living opportunities for animals and birds that might not have been there before, and help the ponderosa pine cones to shed seeds for the next generation of seedlings. If scary and destructive, forest fires are beneficial in the long term.
Andy has high blood pressure. He gets medicine for it. He doesn’t like it. But we have to go through the ritual of catching him each day to make sure he gets what he needs to be healthy.
Andy enjoys the fresh air and view out the back door., but it is time for his medicine!
Andy hears me sneaking up on him. His eyes start to glow…!
“Stand back! I’ll use ’em!!!” Andy sends me a piercing glance.
He hops off the little chair and hides under the computer desk.
Dougy isn’t helpful.
“Ha! Ha! It’s medicine time,” he taunts! Andy’s feelings are hurt….!
Andy eventually gets over it…after I give him his medicine and kitty treats for being a good kitty. Mostly.
My kitties were fascinated by Taco, yet afraid at the same time. Taco was a tough little cat!
I haven’t seen Taco the tuxedo cat for some time now. I have to think he’s gone to kitty heaven. He was an outside cat, the star of my video, “The visitor”, that I include here again:
All kitty people enjoy seeing what’s available to let us include our cats in our daily lives. Transporting cats in the traditional carrier is ok, but here’s one my friend Deborah has for her cats:
Wheeled carrier or, put on its side, a cat bed!
It’s been a on-again-off-again week for the boys, with squabbles over who gets to walk where and who got here first issues. They must have got their naps, however, because this morning Dougy stepped over Andy on the computer shelf and there was no squabble. Whew!
Andy sat there while Dougy stepped over him.
“Oh! Hi, brother!”
Dougy just wants to look out the window.
Andy just wants to see what I’m doing on the computer.
Maybe today will be a quiet day!
Andy has Dougy cornered…
Yup! Dougy’s trapped! Andy’s alert to his every move. Dougy looks for an out.
Andy’s little, but he’s a toughy! He and Dougy make up later, but – for now – Andy is upset with his brother.
I’m sharing more Andy and Dougy kitty videos from my YouTube channel today. Hope you enjoy them!
Just because you are an inside cat doesn’t mean you can’t practice your hunting skills!
Poor Dougy! All he wanted was a little love!
Hope you enjoyed a little snow day fun on this hot day!
Andy is less playful than Dougy, but he has his days!
Andy was not happy the day they mowed the lawn!
Spa day for the boys…they hate the carrier ride.
Andy is minding his own kitty business. Actually, he is just resting peacefully, enjoying the sun coming in through the window, then Dougy arrives for a visit! OH NO!
La! La! La! Andy is enjoying the sun through the window!
What?! What?! What?! How dare Dougy disturb Andy’s peace?!
Yet Dougy does. He hops down from the all-in-one machine. Andy is scandalized!
Snoopy Dougy snoops around. Andy watches closely, which is why Dougy’s tail is in his face.
While he snoops, he fails to notice Andy’s “Tragic Fatal Claw of Retribution and Death” has come dangerously close…!
Watch out, Dougy!!! Dougy continues to snoop.
Faster than I can take the photo, Andy swats Dougy on the butt, and Dougy runs off to places unknown to regain his cattitude and assuage his pride.
Andy is very pleased with himself and his “Tragic Fatal Claw of Retribution and Death”!
As if 16-18 hours of sleep a day aren’t tiring enough, Andy and Dougy look forward to Caturday because it is a day of doing little!
Dougy watches birds.
“Breakfast!” (Don’t worry….he’s an inside cat.)
Don’t know what Andy’s doing but it’s probably naughty!
That’s a good kitty, Andy! He suns himself by the window.
Dougy taunts Andy. “Booger! Booger! Booger, Andy!” Dougy challenges Andy from Andy’s favorite place on the desk.
They’ll chase each other and get some exercise before they take a nap. Andy looks to me for help.