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An older man in a green cardigan offers seed at a wooden feeder as a calico cat sits quietly and watches sparrows. 30 / 39

Otis Held Out the Birdseed. Clementine Held Perfectly Still.

AI imagecalico catbird feederbackyard

Seed in one open palm, Otis reaches toward a wooden feeder where a couple of small brown birds are already pecking. His green cardigan, blue shirt, and glasses give him a patient look, and the yard around him is full of potted plants, an old watering can, and strings of warm lights. Clementine sits right beside the feeder on a plank, calico body frozen, white paws neatly together, head turned toward the birds. She is the picture of discipline. Only her eyes are moving, tracking every little hop and flutter with the full concentration of a professional.

Watching birds is a classic cat pastime, and a feeder near a window can be a source of hours of entertainment. Outdoors, however, it is a risk for the birds, because cats are natural hunters. If you want to enjoy both, it helps to place a feeder where she can watch from inside, or at least where she cannot reach it. Keeping cats indoors or on a leash and harness during feeding time also protects wild birds. A feeder should be cleaned regularly to keep birds healthy, and spilled seed can attract rodents. If your cat gets very excited at the window, a playtime with a wand toy afterward can help her burn off the energy. Talk to your vet if she becomes anxious.

Otis seems unbothered by his furry guest, and the birds hold their ground for now. It is a peaceful standoff in the evening light, and everyone seems to be behaving.

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An older man in a cream cardigan carries a canvas bag past baskets of vegetables while a calico cat trots behind him.Otis Shopped for Vegetables With Clementine Trotting Right BehindAn older man in a green cardigan stirs cookie dough in a metal bowl while a calico cat watches from the table.Otis Was Mixing Cookie Dough. Clementine Had Her Eyes on the Tray.
An older man in a tan cardigan holds out crumbs to mallards at a pond while a calico cat sits a few feet away.Otis Offered Crumbs to the Ducks. Clementine Watched From the Grass.A smiling older man in a green cardigan sits on a truck tailgate beside an open field with a calico cat in the foreground.Otis Parked at the Edge of the Field and Took a Seat on the TailgateAn older man in a tan cardigan hammers at a wooden fence frame while a calico cat holds a small stick in her mouth.Otis Went to Fix the Fence. Clementine Brought a Stick.An older man in a knit cardigan sleeps in a hammock strung between two trees with a calico cat curled up on his chest.Otis Stretched Out in the Hammock. Clementine Climbed Aboard Too.