Russell (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} bassman99) wrote,@ 2009-06-22 23:03:00 |
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THE GUARD IN THE GARDEN
Bess is suspicious. The sweet treat for our recent visitor was put out around 5.30pm, at which point the mistrustful moggy decided that what she really wanted was to relax in the middle of the lawn. Her eyes were half-closed, but as she happened to face the gate on which the passing pine marten had enjoyed his free snack during the last two evenings she fooled no-one.
There was a break for food and water after an hour, then she sidled outside again – if cats could whistle nonchalantly she would have done so – and resumed guard duty for another ninety minutes.
Coincidence or not, the pine marten didn't drop by tonight. This may have been fortunate for Bess – martens are notoriously rough fighters, unlike our cowardly cat who prefers much smaller prey.
So the only photo opportunity I had was provided by a robin. Bess, who knew she had no chance of taking the bird by surprise, pretended not to see it.
Earlier in the day I attempted to appease the rain gods by buying new waterproof trousers and overboots ahead of the Yorkshire Dales bike trip that Matchgirl and I have planned. Such purchases should guarantee sun all weekend.
Late Update: The pine marten did visit after all. A check of the gate after I'd finished blogging revealed no trace of Nutella. Either our caller was delayed while making his rounds or he varies his timetable to confuse territorial cats.
Bess is suspicious. The sweet treat for our recent visitor was put out around 5.30pm, at which point the mistrustful moggy decided that what she really wanted was to relax in the middle of the lawn. Her eyes were half-closed, but as she happened to face the gate on which the passing pine marten had enjoyed his free snack during the last two evenings she fooled no-one.
There was a break for food and water after an hour, then she sidled outside again – if cats could whistle nonchalantly she would have done so – and resumed guard duty for another ninety minutes.
Coincidence or not, the pine marten didn't drop by tonight. This may have been fortunate for Bess – martens are notoriously rough fighters, unlike our cowardly cat who prefers much smaller prey.
So the only photo opportunity I had was provided by a robin. Bess, who knew she had no chance of taking the bird by surprise, pretended not to see it.
Earlier in the day I attempted to appease the rain gods by buying new waterproof trousers and overboots ahead of the Yorkshire Dales bike trip that Matchgirl and I have planned. Such purchases should guarantee sun all weekend.
Late Update: The pine marten did visit after all. A check of the gate after I'd finished blogging revealed no trace of Nutella. Either our caller was delayed while making his rounds or he varies his timetable to confuse territorial cats.
