Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Lemons, Taco, and a Peep

The lady's friend and landlord J called from work and asked the lady if she could go up the hill and check on a chick that had just hatched in the incubator. The chick hatching is a minor miracle since the eggs in the incubator were in the fridge for a few days prior to being put in the incubator. This all happened due to a "massacre" of about 12 of the landlord's chickens back in January by the neighbor's dog (and the landlord's dog...who was incited by the neighbor dog). Anyway, J took the eggs from the fridge just in case she could get them to hatch. So, the lady went up the hill, and she took a photo so that you could see the little peep, just a few hours old.


I really have no interest in the affairs of birds except when they pertain to my entertainment needs, but the lady wanted me to pass along the story, so I did.

While she was up there, she was able to take a photo of one of the landlord's cats, Taco.

There are two cats: one boy, Butters, and one girl, Taco. They're both orange tabby cats (did you know that only 1/3 of orange tabby cats are female? In order for a female cat to be orange, she needs to have orange genes on both X chromosomes. To make an orange male cat, only one parent had to be orange. To make an orange female cat, both parents had to be orange). They are both very shy because they are rescued feral cats. Taco has recently become a bit more brave, and she will now eat a little food out of the landlady's hand. And since she knows the lady, she will allow her within 10 feet (but no closer!). I have chased both of them back up the hill when they dare to venture into MY AREA, but I hold no grudge against them.

It was a nice day today. It almost felt like Spring. Here is a photo for those folks in colder parts of the world.



I didn't do much today...checked out the bird feeder. Don't know why the birds leave when I show up. Heh, heh.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a wonderful post, Mr. Black. We just loved seeing that little chick, and what a treat to get to see two new cats:)
Pee Ess: Butters and Taco are great names!

Anonymous said...

Uhhh. We actually only saw one new cat, didn't we?

Quill and Greyson said...

Wonder what a lady ginger tabby turns out to be without two chromosom-whatevers?

Samantha & Mom said...

We don't understand why the birds all disappear when you show up either Mr. Black! Thanks for the info on Ginger girlcats!! We never knew that most were male!!
Your FL furiends,

Cat with a Garden said...

The little chick is real sweet! We knew about the orange female cat thing, how interesting, isn't it?! We recently found a site which shows male calicos which is very, very incommon. Oh the world of genetics - no clue about it! Seems like the birds are the same all over the world... Purrs to you, Mr. Black!

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Gorgeous photos and very interesting info about orange cats! We're rooting for that chick!

Tom and Tama-Chan

Anonymous said...

Wow, I never did know that about orange kittiehs! That is very cool and makes momma want one now hehe
That little chicky is so cute!@ nothing like babehs.. though to momma horror I prefer mine cooked and served... hehe
Ut oh I iz in trouble now... hwehe run run!

V-V

Tuck said...

What lovely pictures! My mom thinks Taco is a cute name for a kitty!

Mishkat said...

What a great post! And we didn't know that about orange cats either - we knew that more of them were male, but not why.

It is nice seeing those lemons - we hope spring will start to arrive here within the next month.

Daisy said...

That little chickie is a miracle! I hope she grows big and strong and has a happy chick-hen life.