Vanishing act
Looking back to November 2017, to leaves long gone. The first two pictures are from the November 11th trek to the creek depicted in Part 1. Scan the first photo closely and you might see a red dot on the far bank; it’s the leaf that was the source of so much startling reflected color and shape in some of the Part 1 pictures. You can also see the twisty double tree, a major shadow-maker.
Now you see it, now you don’t
You just never know what visuals will pop up on this creek!
Ultraviolet has sass!
“Hey,” Ultraviolet pads up and chimes in. “I would flat sure pounce on that thingamabob in the water.”
“Nothing is there, you’d only get sopping wet.”
Shadows and ripples
On to the November 26 pictures later in the month, later in the day, with more subdued colors.
Tree shadows shift as the sun moves, all day
“Meow! I could so hunt in that light. It’s like, crepuscular.”
Water stays busy
“It wasn’t quite twilight, sweet one. Close, though.”
Drawn by unassuming hues
“I should have been let out to walk down there with y’all so I could hunt!”
Bewilderment!
“Well no, you need a hypoallergenic diet, with hydrolyzed protein. Fresh game isn’t on your menu.”
Sumptuous ripple architecture
“Phssssst! I mean, Fish! I could scoop up fish from the creek. Hydrolyzed doesn’t sound tasty!”
The closer we look, the more colors unfold …
“It will taste tasty! You’ll see when it arrives. Haven’t seen any fish in the creek, and fish are highly allergenic anyway.”
Current news
“That study sounds fishy to me! Send me the link! I’ll have to look into that myself!”
“It’s ok to dream, it’ll help us get through this cold spell. That’s how I got through feeling so ill over the holidays.”
“Fish needs to be devoured with some good stout creek water, slightly bubbly, a little foam on top.”
“Um … dream on, kitty.” High in the trees, the sweetgum seedpods were still greenish.
November 13, 2017, looking up
Nov. 10, 2017 Fall means berries
“Now I could so climb up those trees! Those squirrels that tromple on our roof at night, I’d stop them in their tracks!”
Sweetgum leaves wave at us Nov. 22, 2017
“It’s freakishly cold out there now, UV. You wouldn’t much like it.”
Sun sneaks into the canopy, November 22, 2017
“Girlfriend, have you seen me? I’m furry!”
“Hey here’s a toy mouse for you.” (Blap, scuffle, swish. She springs high in the air, lands, tilts her head this way and that, eyes locked on the mouse, as she angles in for the next strike. Our little hunter kitty got toy mice for Christmas and she’s already lost the gray one.)
November 26, 2017, I’ve been watching
“We’ll talk again.” (SMACK, snort, jump, thump, bump, swish, bump bump.)
Bonus picture, Ultraviolet, with souped up color.
Ultraviolet dreams on
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I live near a creek in a forest, in close observation and awe of the wildlife outside, as well as the domestic animals of the household. I'm writer Leah T. Alford. I was "catwoods" on this site Catwoods Porch Party, Itchmo Forums for Cats and Dogs, and a few other sites that may or may not exist now. I have now published a book, and the publisher wanted it called Catwoods. I never expected the book title to be the same as my username, so for now I've changed the username to Leah. For more info, click the "About" button above.
Catwoods Porch Party 
Beautiful pictures Leah….
Wishing you all the best
Thank you so much, Spirit of Words and Sound! I’m happy you enjoyed the pictures. I enjoyed looking around on your site and will explore it more as time opens up. Best wishes going out to you also!
Beautiful photos, especially the water ones! I am a water loving feline and am getting ready for my summer kayaking adventures (finally got a life vest that fits purrrfectly). In the winter I prepare by getting in the shower and the sink,
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Alberto
Thank you Alberto, I’m happy that you like the pictures! Summer kayaking sounds very adventurous and exciting! Purrs, meows, and head bonks,
Leah and Ultraviolet!
That gray mouse will show up when least expected or wanted…. like in a shoe or under a pillow. UV is certainly determined to talk you into letting her roam free. She just doesn’t know how fortunate she is… despite the hydrolyzed protein! No, it doesn’t sound tasty! My cats are allowed a fish treat only a couple of times a year… but out of a can, not as exciting as the river!
LOL, RMW, I looked for that gray mouse today, and several others. We found one toy that she lost again in five minutes. Time to open another package . . . Fish fed sparingly makes a great kitty treat, and really helps if they have to take medicine. But I think we will have to get these allergies sorted out before we try allowing her a small amount of fish time to time.
Now, this is some creek…we love it. We could wash our paws and strike at the leaves. I guess Cat is also allergic like Kali is. Kali eats hydrologyzed…whatever treats and hypo allergenic soy dry food. How about Cat what does he eat?
Shoko
Ultraviolet and I are happy you like our creek, Shoko! Ultraviolet’s dry food is still on order, although I expected to have it by now. I’m not sure but I think the vet is getting her some dry that is duck and potato, possibly hydrologyzed. Her canned food is duck and green pea, which is supposed to be proteins that are less allergenic. We’re in the beginning stages of trying various diets to see what she best responds to. Sorry that Kali has the allergy thing too. The kitty we called Cat was our kitty long ago, and he is now at the Rainbow Bridge.
Magical images, as always. And you have to love a cat that knows the meaning — or comes close to knowing the meaning — of “crepuscular.” 🙂 So glad she is enjoying the toy mice. One of my foster kittens, Xander, has taken to running around with same in his mouth, growling. How lucky we are to have felines in our lives.
I’m happy you enjoyed the pictures, Cate! UV does claim to have listened in, unseen, on lectures at the University; that might be where she got some of her smarts. That’s so funny about Xander growling when he has a toy mouse, I can just picture that! I completely agree with what you say about cats in our lives, I don’t think I could live without them!
UV is such a beautiful cat!
Thank you Kerry! UV just loves to hear that and so do I! ❤
It’s a perfect name for her too. I have a penchant for unusual pet names…😸
I’m happy you like it! I too like the distinctive names, but LOL there have times we just called one “Cat”, since we were so busy when the kitty came into our lives.
Yes, we had one Puss who was supposed to be with us temporarily… She lived to 14, blind and deaf but a delightful little soul.
Awww, we’ve been in that situation too, Kerry. Found a stray when we had enough cats, meant to find her another home but we ended up spending 17 years with her.
Thank you for the beautiful photos and for making me laugh. I just lost one of my kitties to cancer and have been so sad.
I’m happy you enjoyed the photos and the post CatLadyintheCanyon; but I”m so sorry to learn that you have lost a kitty! I know it hurts so much. I hope you can find comfort and peace in good memories.
Happy new year ❤️
Thank you! Happy New Year to you also!
Those are beautiful photos, Catwoods! A happy new year to you and the kitties!
Thank you Lavinia, I’m happy you like the photos! Happy New Year to you and yours back atcha!
Such incredible reflections! Happy new year!
Thanks claire, I’m happy you like the pictures. Happy New Year!
I think UV should be very grateful she’s in a nice, cozy house with toy mousies. (And I’m glad you’re progressive 🙂 )
LOL Candace, you are right, UV should be more appreciative! We’re glad we now have her and she doesn’t have to stay out in this unreal cold; and we wish all strays and ferals could also be inside of course. Darn if it doesn’t seem like she shows more interest in the door on the coldest nights! I’m glad you’re progressive too Candace, and I do love connecting with like-minded others around the nation and world. Since extended internet discussion is beyond my available energy, that’s one reason I generally stay out of politics online these days. Although I briefly thought of doing a post centered around the recent Senate election but I probably won’t.
What wonderful photos, especially the creative use of color, and I love the dialogue–it sounds like the dialogues Effie and I have in my head!
I wish you a new year of new marvels, Leah. ❤
Thank you Lauren, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! It’s good to know I’m not the only one trying to figure out what goes on between humans and those mysterious little feline creatures by imagining words that may, or may not, tell the story! Wishing you all good things in a Happy New Year! ❤
Thank you, Leah! Effie and UV are a lot of those good things, too. ❤ 😽
Indeed they are, Lauren! (I think I fixed the comments and happy to, but as I’m weather-addled today just drop me a note in another comment if needed.)
Perfect edit; thank you! 🙂
Beautiful Pictures! Happy New Year! And Happy Mew Year to Ultraviolet from Snoops and Kommando Kitty (I don’t know about where you are, but here in Michigan it’s much too cold to go fishing in a creek)
Thank you cat9984, we are happy you enjoyed the pictures! Happy Mew Year (smile) from Ultraviolet and I to you and Snoops and Kommado Kitty! We are in Alabama, and because many persons in other regions think of our state as conservative only, I hasten to add that we are progressive and we are happy to have our new Democratic Senator, Doug Jones. (I usually stay away from politics but sometimes find it necessary to establish that we have a sizable liberal community in our state.) Anyhoo the temperatures! Wow! I know y’all are much colder in Michigan but it was 25F at 10:30 am today and will go to 8 to 10 degrees for a low tonight! There’s probably ice on the creek. I ain’t goin out there!
Wow. That’s really cold. I can’t believe the weather so far this year. I think I need fur. (I think it’s awful the way your state has been portrayed. It’s like everyone has to be labeled)
LOL, fur would be a help at this point! Yeah, the state’s image is outdated and oversimplified, I think. But old impressions linger. Not everything has changed, but much has. Like anywhere and everywhere, I think.
Beautiful photographs dear Leah, Thank you, Happy New Year, Love, nia
Nia, thank you so much, Ultraviolet and I are happy you like the pictures! Happy New Year and much love to you and your family, friends, and kitties!
You are so nice, Thank you again, you always visit my daily touches, you make me happy, How is your lovely kitten, ours is very naughty and toooo much active! I don’t know how to stop him, in our small house… He started to jump and climb everywhere… 🙂 Have a nice day, Blessing and Happiness dear Leah, Love, nia
Nia, it’s nice to see you! I really enjoy your posts every day! You take such beautiful photos and its so interesting when you write about your country, living in rural areas, and in the city. I won’t ever be able to travel so it’s good to have a view of other places through your pictures and writing! I am also reminded by your posts about what it’s like to have a kitten! So much energy, non-stop, that phase doesn’t last forever, we can laugh about it and look forward to the time when the kitty will settle down and purr all day, I think ! Our new kitty is so sweet, an older kitty who sleeps a lot and does purr so much too! I’ve been trying to work on another post about her but I work slow. All the best wishes to you Nia, today, and always, with love, Leah
It is so nice to hear you, to read you dear Leah, Thank you so much. I started my day this morning with your beautiful replies, have a nice and enjoyable day, love, nia
I’m happy to be there when I can, Nia, I don’t keep up very well commenting, but always have good wishes for you! Cheers, Leah
Thank you so much, you are one of my amazing readers, and I am happy with you all, have a nice day, Love, nia
I was going to ask if you call Ultraviolet UV? Looks like you do. Thought I saw a crocodile head in the creek–better watch out! Happy new Year from the felinecafe gang!
Oh yes, I call Ultraviolet “UV” but the hubster calls her Little Girl. Crocodile, hahaha, yikers! There actually have been some alligators seen in my state in places even more remote and wilder than ours! Happy New Year from us to you and your kitties at the felinecafe, Greg!
Happy New Year, Leah, to you and yours, and UV (of course, of course). 🙂 You know, Leah, I definitely think you have the makings of an excellent book here — I mean, these gorgeous photos of the creek and trees. I’d buy a copy — heck, I’d buy a ton of copies and share with friends and family. We so need this kind of reminder of our natural beauty in these weird, scary, sad days. But I’m not a pessimist. I think more focus on our friends, the trees, and woods, streams, creeks, rivers and yes, our four-legged, can help to turn things around. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos on this cold, snowy day Up North! Deb
Happy New Year, Deb, to you and your family and friends and fur family! I always love reading your encouraging opinion about my pictures – they are mainly fun for me, but I think you are right, I do some of this for preservation and to convince people in other regions that we have natural settings worth saving down here! Yikes, snow and cold, take care, I know it’s often cold where you are but this is extraordinary. I know it is far worse where you are but it was 25F at about 10:30 am here, in the sun, and tonight there will be an 8 to 20 degree low, yikers! And below freezing all day tomorrow. Eeeek Brrrrr Still working on that other book, publisher was busy with the holidays. I just found the link to your marvelous website in my wordpress panels so will see if I can connect from the comment info here. All the best, ~ Leah
Ultraviolet is a very creative cat! We, too, love reflections on water, captivating, like watching waves or fire.
Ultraviolet and I are happy you like the pictures, Bernadette! I am continually surprised by the visuals that happen in a few small areas in the water! Like you say, like waves or fire, ever changing! Ultraviolet is also pleased that you think she’s creative! I think she slipped over to the University from her old outdoor neighborhood and audited a few classes, too!
These photos of the creek are so beautiful..thanks for sharing Leah..Happy New Year to you and Igor and UV!
Thank you so much Cat, I’m happy you like the pictures! Happy New Year and all the best to you and Leo and your family and fur family!
Thank you for the lovely pictures. I just love creeks and streams. A bit of warmth on a nice day.
Ultraviolet and I are happy you like the pictures! I do love a creek. It was only slightly cool on the days the pics were taken, so, warm and balmy in comparison to the weather we are having now!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy & prosperous 2018.
Thank you foguth, a Happy New Year and all the best to you and your family!
beautiful water reflections
Thank you Maureen, Ultraviolet and I are happy you liked the pictures! Happy New Year!
and a Happy New Year to you