Aboard a fishing vessel

I was photographing paint splotches on the dock when Captain Tom came over to ask why I was photographing bird poop ... Good conversation starter. He invited us aboard his fishing vessel and we didn't hesitate to scramble over the rail.

You can see Diesel the fishing boat cat peering over the bow of the boat. The nicest, friendliest cat you could ever meet. Abby should take lessons ...

In the second shot you can see the lures and hooks they use for tuna fishing. And then you can see the downside of fishing -- a finger that got sawed off, caught between a ladder and a Russian trawler. And finally Captain Tom himself -- knowledgeable and so giving, sharing his way of life and the equipment he uses with three clueless landlubbers. (By the way, fishing boats use "fuel," not "gas.") Turns out his aunt lives a couple of miles away from June in North Carolina. She's going to look her up!

Small world. Getting smaller. ©Carol Leigh

Cats and wet leaves

Abby stands at the front door watching as four birds frolic in the birdbath. Gorgeous morning this morning, everything covered with a fine mist. I grab the tripod, set everything up, take two shots and the fine mist coming from the clouds turns into rain. Maybe tomorrow ... ©Carol Leigh

Port of Alsea, Oregon

Early morning at the Port of Alsea in Waldport. Calm waters, tide just turning, almost drizzling, and it's so cool and calm and quiet. This is what I love about the Pacific Northwest. After walking out on the docks, I wandered around the little port, looking, looking. Because I photograph a lot of weird stuff, I'm used to getting curious stares. This is the first time I've gotten one from a cat . . . And speaking of weird, over on the photomontage blog, I created an interesting blend of a flower and a painting. A descent into the weirdness maelstrom. ©Carol Leigh

The beast

If you don't know the cat, you probably don't see it. But if you live with the little creep, and have for almost five years, then you DO see the subtle expressions, such as this one, which is basically Abby saying, "Sigh. Again with the camera?" You'd think that, since we've given her a swell little cat quilt, that she'd be slightly more accommodating, slightly more enthusiastic about being photographed, but nope, that ain't gonna happen. ©Carol Leigh

Goldie in the window

I made a quick stop during my walk this morning and photographed my neighbor's cat Goldie as she looked at me through a dirty and rain-speckled window. The cat's orange, but I turned the shot into a soft black and white image which I think is more flattering to her. I was tempted to clone out each and every water spot on the window glass, but figured no, I actually DO have a life, and left them all in. Cute cat. This afternoon she helped us install a new bird feeder that Chris made. ©Carol Leigh

Just for you, June . . .

Well, you suggested a photo of Abby or baked goods, so just for YOU, I did both. I'm not much of a baker, but I made something called Peanut Butter and Jelly Shortbread Wedges. They're good! Only a little bit of the batter went flying around the kitchen . . . And then there was Abby, sitting in a basket on top of a stack of newspapers. Maybe tomorrow I can get back to the oil cans . . . XXX ©Carol Leigh

Yeah, like we need another cat photo on the Internet

At the end of the day, when I realize that no, I've not yet shot my "photo of the day," it's good to know I have a trusty cat to turn to. She's sitting on my desk. Getting in the way of everything. ©Carol Leigh

Abby in the box

Some art supplies arrived today via Priority Mail. Abby snuggled down in among the packing paper. What is it with cats and boxes? ©Carol Leigh

Goldie

I was experimenting with taking pictures without looking through the viewfinder. My neighbor's cat Goldie came along and so I just pointed and clicked. Definitely not the sort of photo I would have ordinarily taken, but I find it appealing nevertheless. ©Carol Leigh

Abby in the sun

Late afternoon sun makes Abby look pretty good. Watched a program about skunks last night on PBS and now realize how much Abby resembles one. If she starts doing handstands on her front two legs, we're in REAL trouble . . . ©Carol Leigh

Abby

A friend's cat died the other day. Such sadness. Mine can be so annoying, but if something should happen to her, well, how awful that would be. With my luck, however, she'll probably live as long as a freakin' parrot! :-) ©Carol Leigh

Creepier than she really is . . .

I often refer to my cat Abby as the psycho cat from hell, but she's actually sweet and loving (if she likes you and she's in the mood). This photo makes her look like a demon. I desaturated the picture and then let the color of her eye come through and nothing else. Kind of cool, but pretty creepy. ©Carol Leigh

Kitty Nose

A macro lens and a sleepy cat were all I needed for today's photo. ©Carol Leigh

Abby

Abby under the Christmas tree. For such a willful cat, she's been really good about not batting the ornaments. Only one broke this year. Taken with a 50mm lens at f/1.8 for ultra-shallow depth of field. Alas, you can see she has one green ear and a bit of red reflected on her chest from out-of-frame tree lights. I like, however, the reflections of the lights in her eyes. ©Carol Leigh