Behind my house is a wetlands preservation site. At any given time there's 8-12 feral cats calling it their home. It seems to be a favorite spot to abandon your no longer wanted cat.:hammer: There's also deer, turkey, fox, fisher cats, skunks, possums, squirrels, groundhogs, and COYOTE. I've been taking care of the cats as best I can for years, especially in the winter. They all have that survivor spirit and are fending for themselves due to no fault of their own so I feel both obligated and privileged to help them when I can. Mr. Winkles in particular has become my buddy pal.
I built him a cool little insulated house out of a double walled Briggs and Stratton box with straw bedding on my back porch 8 ft. above where he was born.
He is the only feral cat that has allowed me to touch him. He visits often coming in the back door at 4 AM for some roasted chicken and some petting. Because of my daily interaction over the years with all of them, most have no problem being within a few inches of me, but that's as close as it gets. They will not allow you to touch them EVER. Mr. Winkles is the exception. He was born last April under my porch along with 2 siblings who did not make it. Here he is under my porch with one of his siblings.
Mr. Winkles mother {Popcorn} is a Siamese mix and I've been helping her since she was born.
Mr. Winkles & Popcorn.
The next photo is Popcorn's brother {Moo Cow Kitty}.
Sadly, he was attacked a few months ago by a coyote.
He made it back to my yard but unfortunately his wounds were too bad and he had to be put down. He was another favorite. He would sit quietly for hours just feet away and watch me work on the mini bike's in the back yard all the time. Definitely miss him being around. Which brings me to Mr. Winkles close call yesterday...I notice Mr. Winkles and Fluffinator {Popcorn's sister} playing on the paths in my back yard I shoveled out for them. You'll notice in the 1st video @ .008 sec. in, Fluffinator
runs to the end of the path, looks to the right, sees something, then quickly runs straight to my back porch passing by Mr. Winkles in the process. Mr. Winkles appears to have no idea that a coyote is approaching and neither did I! At .020 sec. look to the top right, you'll see the coyote approaching. I did not see it yet. Mr. Winkles then walks 10 ft. towards me {away from the coyote} but with his back turned and that's when I spot the coyote at the end of the trail less than 15 ft. away from Mr. Winkles! I drop the camera, and haul as$ out my back door scaring away the coyote before he had Mr. Winkles for lunch. Mr. Winkles was oblivious! If he had not walked that 10 ft. he would have had a BIG problem. The 2nd video begins when I get back in the house and am able to catch the coyote trotting off. Look in the center of the screen. Mr. Winkles escaped, but the fact is... The coyote will be back!! :doah: Videos are here... MW1 - YouTube MW2 - YouTube
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