Summer 2011 is the year of the Feral Feline Colony.

Along with the drought, Summer  2011  brought a feral feline colony.

The colony began with the brown & golden tabby with white chest and paws, who we named Bootsie.  He was trapped, neutered and released.

Then the others appeared. I call our front yard the Anderson Oasis, because best friend David A keeps the foliage in a specific area from dying, puts out bird feed, water and dog food for wild critters.

Now he's got 7+ cats he feeds and waters daily.  Bootsie, Shelly, Tab Hunter, Big Daddy and Shelly's kittens Monkey Face and Spooky.  Another tabby similar to Bootsie without any white, we named Tootsie.  She comes around for meals regularly yet isn't seen daily and is very spooked by our presence.

Some other cats came around periodically but are with us no longer.  At least one cat, a lovely Tuxedo patterned, was chased away.  Another climbed a tree during the 105+ degree heat when a giant dog ran through the yard, got stuck, seems to have broken it's back and couldn't get down on its own.   That was a sad day.

Another big tabby comes around perhaps each night, but we see it only periodically.  It scampers to the undeveloped property next door whenever we are in sight.

Perhaps we will have less snakes and rodents this winter.