Harris Hawk Nest

Went out for a bit of a hike today to find this Harris Hawk nest.


And test out these new trail runners, notice the cholla pad stuck to the shoe.

Temperature: 104
Miles hiked: 4

I saw an haboob. No kidding. suddenly the sky was full of a cloud of dust.



And then we had one of these. An exciting day.

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

New Bars

Date: 4 June 2006

Miles: 16.2
Weather: 102°F. Sun.
Bike: Roadie.

Miles 5.2
Weather: 112°F. Sun.
Bike: Commuter.

Ipod: Bonnie Raitt, The Road's My Middle Name
June Mileage: 85.72

16 miles of this went down this morning at just 102 degrees or so. With the other 5 miles at the heat of the day -- test riding the commuter after the new handlebar went on. The new bar is an Easton EA70 Monkeybar 27in 685mm Lo in Black anodize. Plus end bars. Check it out.

What I did on my Summer Vacation

Date: 3 June 2006
Miles: 21.16
June Mileage: 64.68
Weather: 112°F. Sun.
Bike: Roadie.
Treadmill miles: 2

There just isn't much to say about this. This is me taking a break at about mile 12. It's nice in the desert when you have water. If you have a lot make sure to waste it on landscaping so we can all know how important you are.

I carried about 2 liters in a CamelBak™. I can never manage to explain how much I hate these. And two regular bottles, to make sure that I wouldn't have to die. At about mile 8 I stopped at Bellagio's to get filled with ice water. I highly recommend this and it's not cheating. Although I can never embrace a CamelBak™ in the way I should, I have a few suggestions. If you are going to depend on one ( I mean -- the "as if my life depended on it" depending on it), then you should carry two bladders. Since they are crap and have a tendency to leak at the valve for no reason that I can imagine, and encourage you to bite the valve harder ( again by not working correctly) as though you are trying to break it (you will one day and the precious contents will pour out onto the ground) , you will inevetably be delighted that you have thought far enough ahead, to not be risking your life now that your camelbak™ valve has failed and all the water has leaked out. Maybe you will get some cooling benefit from being soaking wet -- if you are really lucky.

When you are planning a ride at 112 degrees it is acceptable to fill your CamelBak with ice before filling it with water. No one will call you a wimp. They will thank you if you share it with them. When you are riding, feel free to squirt your thighs and the backs of your gloves with the hot liquid that sits in the hose, and then drink freely from the cold liquid. It will only hurt a bit.

The last mile was a bit rough ... but that was okay -- because the Izze™ pomegranite juice drink at the end on the ice was still so delightful. As was the cool shower. As was the entire shish kabob dinner at Bellagios.

I am not even going to talk about the Suns right now. "And Dallas has the first lead since the 2 point lead they has at the start of the game." It looks bad.

Update:: They lost.

Riding through Fire.

Date: 2 June 2006
Miles: 12.58
June Mileage: 43.52
Weather: 110°F. cloudy, monsoony, occasionally humid, blowing dust.
Bike: Roadie.

Things change when it gets hot like this. Cold water hurts to drink. It's hard to ride a bike. Getting in the car is a special treat. Contrary to popular belief, leaving a CD in your car will not cause it to melt. I know this. Some people put on oven mitts when they get in the car. In this climate you learn how to drive a car without touching it.

Temps inside the car can exceed ground temperatures and are deadly hot -- maybe 160-170 degrees (Don't nap in your car). When it's really dry, getting out of the car and closing the door are guarenteed to shock you. You adapt, only closing the car with a clothed portion of your body to avoid the inevitable shock. Getting in to the car at the hot times of the day is dangerous. touching any hard or black surface can result in burns. the steering wheel, the stick shift, the seat belt. So you learn to drive without really touching the car.

It was 110°F. today, and whew! Everything moves slower at that temperature -- except the drip from the chapstick. Sunscreen left in the car will burn you if you try to use it. Recycling trucks catch on fire (I saw this).

It was a good ride. When it's this hot the wilderness starts just below your skin. Any mistake can result in pain or death. Skin burns in the sun after about 10 minutes. Cooling stops if evaporation stops -- so sweating and water (and food) are all imperative. Falling down just out of sight, getting lost, or even a wrong turn can imperil even the most prepared. I wore the standard desert wear I always choose. White Nordstrom™ Classic Oxford shirt, cotton T-shirt, wool socks and real shoes (no sandals), shorts and in this case a helmet. I packed a rain coat (for the thunderstorm) a bandana (for the dust storm), and two liters of water.

And it was a good hard ride and reminded me of spending about 20 minutes in the sauna ... I feel better now. It's supposed to be hotter tomorrow.

Creepy Eagle Ear Canal Grossness

Be forewarned. The birdchick has out done herself.

I can smell the heat reflected from the road.

My hot bike is the one in the middle. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Jill said ... yesterday:

And people think I was crazy for biking in the winter! When I was living in Utah, I never understood the "But it's a dry heat" justification. Heat is heat, and like you said, low humidity will suck you dry. I've been hiking in Arkansas when it was 90 degrees and 90% humidity, and it wasn't as bad as biking on black top when it was 107 and 10% humidity in Salt Lake.

Your oven is a dry heat too, but you probably don't want to live in it.

They so much do that. Justify the acceptable characteristics of a 115 degree summer by claiming it's a dry heat, especially if they live somewhere else. Often when they are talking about Arizona though, it isn't even a dry heat -- It's a monsoon. Which, in the vernacular of Arizona -- I like to refer to as a dry rain. Once the temps are solidly above 100, when you exercise, you are anything but dry (if you are dry, and exercising, and in heat over 100 degrees -- you need hospitalization). Although your body cools more effectively in 4% humidity than in 90% humidity, the true story is that a tuned and healthy body in good order cools itself extremely well, even when the temps and the humidity are high. Yes it's hot, and I think the bike is cooler than running or hiking, because of the movement. I prefer to be outside because that is where the rest of the life is, despite the pools and spinners and treadmills, and ellipticals, all carefully before the tv's of the windowless gym -- the endless options to the heat.

Ruby said this, "I was in Phoenix once. It was so hot that I could smell the heat reflecting from the sidewalk. It was in the middle of October. I can't imagine, what the summer is like. "

I said this in reply:

"I can smell the heat reflected from the sidewalk. Has anyone heard of infra-red blocking skin cream? No? Go figure. Ground temps can be signifigant.

'If the advertised air temperature for a local area is say, 110 degrees F; you can expect the ground by mid-afternoon to be maybe 150 degrees F and the air temperature at your knees to be about 140 degrees F and at your head level to be about 130 degrees F.These extreme temperatures are a far cry from the reasonably hot temperature of 110 degrees F that you heard predicted on the weather channel that morning. Your body's heat gain by conduction: The above example of 150 degrees F for ground temperature is actually conservative; in fact ground temperatures can easily reach 175. ... Hot air concerns: With air temperatures over 130 degrees F, the air that you breath becomes dangerous.' Source.

One thing he suggests is to cover your body when it's hot, which is the one thing most people don't do. Ever try riding your bike in a Sauna?"

Today is a day for that. The smell of the of the sauna today was part fresh oil and exhaust, and the obvious smell of the heat scorching the nose hairs. Other times it was just huge with the heat radiating off of the road surface . It was hot today. But not as hot as tomorrow. The morning commute was easy as the temp was a mere 85. Just 85.

Date: 1 June 2006
Miles: 21.21
Average Speed: 13.0
June Mileage: 30.94
Weather: 108 °F. Sun
Bike: Roadie.

Miles today 30.94, on the hottest day so far this year. It feels good, but it is tiring. My tires felt soft today.

New Blacktop

Collared Lizard, Digital Photograph. © 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Date: 1 June 2006
Miles: 9.73
Average Speed: 17.6
June Mileage: 9.73
Weather: 82.3 °F. Sun
Bike: Roadie.

There is new Blacktop all along my ride. It generates a huge amount of heat. This afternoon's fitness ride with the usually happy hiking guy promises to be hot. I might need some Lizard Skin™ to spray on my undercarraige, methinks.

Heat is Up -- Special Weather Statement

Date: 31 May 2006
Miles: 12.58
Average Speed: 14.4
May Mileage: 303.89
Weather: 101°F. Sun
Bike: Roadie.

Temps are expected to hit 110 by Saturday. I suppose that is hot. Most staggering is the relative humidity, which has been as low as 4%, and less than 8% for most of the daylight hours. Talk about sucking the juice right outta your pucker. It is really just hot and dry. Burns one's lips to inhale.

Someone I don't remember, called out to me today at work to ask if I had ridden in to work -- and I had to say no -- tomorrow. I think I may becoming known as that guy that rides his bike dispite the heat, which I haven't actually done that much of yet. This is really something because two of my coworkers ride everyday -- but their commute is much shorter.

Bike Commuter Practice Session

Now that it actually works. I am reposting this in case you missed it. I have a faster connection now so hopefully it won't take too long to download.

Further Still

Date: 27 May 2006
Miles: ~6
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 291.31
Bike: Commuter

When I was leaving the library there were a couple of young riders locking up their bikes next to my commuter. The kid says, "Wow, that's a real nice bike, Mister." I kid you not. I said "Well, it's old and heavy, but we get by." So he explains to me why it's a nice bike, that it's a Bianchi, and it's steel, and so on. I think, now there's a kid who's paying attention. And I remember, that yep, I am still pretty cool. It was fun.

So the next day I took the roadie out for a spin.

Date: 28 May 2006
Miles: 14.2
May Mileage: 305.51
Bike: Commuter

Then I ran a mile at the Gym.

On Sunday I took a hike out at the Blevins trail, I was looking for a Hawk nest out there. I ran the first mile there and walked the last two. Saturday AM I will be heading back to find it, with the camera.

And now I am sort of caught up ...

Learning to Fly (Red-Tail Hawk Fledglings)

I met the folks in the house behind which these guys are learning to fly. It seems they already know how to eat. The flying bird is the adult male I think, having delivered lunch.

Digital Photographs of Red-Tailed Hawks. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. These photographs may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Shawn Kielty.

Fledgling Red-Tailed Hawk. © 2006 Shawn Kielty, All rights reserved

Further on up the Road

It's a Robert Johnson song I think, but at the hands of a master, it great to ride to. I stopped in to see the normally friendly bike guy, and we threw the commuter up on the scale. 47+ lbs. Go figure. Without the camera it is a mere 39 lbs. That helps explain why it is so much fun to ride. Maybe I can add on an extra room.

Last night's ride:

Date: 26 May 2006
Miles: 12.6
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 267.31
Weather: Dark, 100°F., calm.
Bike: Commuter

Today so far (I am currently using the computer at the library. because, well, the internet is turned off this weekend at my place).

Date: 27 May 2006
Miles: ~18
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 285.31
Weather: Dark, 93°F. wind, dust.
Bike: Commuter
On the ipod: Eric Clapton, Further on up the Road

More later and pictures, later, later. It turns out that if I bring the card reader to the library I can get the pictures from it. Who knew?

Night Riding

Date: 25 May 2006
Miles: 14.68
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 254.71
Weather: Dark, 87°F. stars, calm.
Bike: Commuter

Last nights ride to test out the night riding philosophy. It seems to work. Although slower. Today I received a cool deck bag from the Banjo Brothers. So last night was it's maiden voyage.

About the House Wren Nests

I am not sure I agree with the BirdChick. She says:

... (the) bird houses I put up this spring, all of them have been claimed as wren boxes. Not only that, they all appear to be wren decoy nests as opposed to the actual wren nest. (For non birders--house wrens will build several nests--sometimes 5 to 6 and only actually lay eggs in one of them. The others serve as decoys against predators).

Wren decoy nests?

I understand that the House Wren is a total slut. The male builds a nest and tries to entice any female into finishing it and setting up house. If he succeeds he continues to build nests and tries to entice (other) females to raise a family with him. He builds the nests as a way to attract the female and to take possession of the nest site. If he fails to attract a female he continues to build nests and try to entice females ... He may build 5 or 6 (or more) nests. There's an interesting polygynist behavioral pattern which includes secondary mating and "extra-pair" breeding. According to this set of articles a female will even destroy an existing nest and kick the resident female out to get access to the prime real estate, and the male.

Although the nests may serve later as "decoy" nests, I don't believe that is their initial purpose. Are they specifically to enhance the breeding opportunities of the male House Wren and lay claim to the resources, a by product of the extreme competition for nesting sites and opportunities, or -- as the Bird chick indicates -- to decoy against nest predators? Such predators -- it seems -- may in fact be other House Wrens.

Yellow Feet

 
This bird -- seen previously -- has yellow feet. This confirms it's existance as a Snowy Egret. Despite the doubter -- my co-worker -- who earlier today disputed the claim of the earlier post. Look again. 

Bike Commuter Practice Session

And you think you have it bad.

I ran one mile on the treadmill today with half mile splits at 4:20 and 4:37. According to the heart rate monitor (and my burning thighs), I was well over my 85% of VO₂ max. It sure feels good to work really hard for about ten minutes.

Tour de Cure 50K, Palo Alto CA

Date: 21 May 2006
Miles: 33.58
Average Speed: 13.0
May Mileage: 240.03
Weather: 60 ish °F. Overcast, light rain.
Bike: Roadie



The pace setter Lauralyn.



Foster and Devon register.



The starting line.



Elise (I'd never met her) with a couple of cameras at the first rest stop, taking pictures of her husband riding. She had cool gear.

It was a good ride.

Coot with Swallow Reflection

Digital Photograph, © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

American Coot

 
Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. 

Avocet in Summer Plumage

 
Avocet in Summer Plumage. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. 

Snowy Egret

 
Snowy Egret. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. 

White Faced Ibis in Breeding Plumage

There's a whole weekend of news to report. but this was exciting. These shots of White Faced Ibis came from a brief stop over at Kern National Wildlife Refuge today.

White Faced Ibis. Digital Photographs. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Test Ride

Around my Mother's place.

Date: 20 May 2006
Miles: 4.14
Average Speed: 14.4
May Mileage: 206.45
Weather: 65°F. Overcast.
Bike: Roadie

Photography is like Fishing

So says Gwadzilla -- Nice photos bud.

Ivory Billed Woodpecker?

Nope. Gilded Flicker. This lacks the red moustache so presumably it is the female. Black crescent on the chest with the yellow on the wings and the tail were the deciding factors. Gilded Flicker. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

2 Doves and Blooming Saguaro

Some Lucky Day. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

I believe these would be white winged doves.

Buckthorn Cholla

Buckthorn Cholla. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. 

About the Weather

I don't know if anyone has noticed that I haven't been on my bike. We have had a couple of serious dust storms this week -- which are particularly nasty.

The other noticable thing is that it was 111°F. in Bullhead City AZ today and 105 in Mesa. Death Valley gets today's high at 116, however. George W. Bush was in Yuma AZ today, and you can bet he noticed it was kinda warm. 105° temps are not enough to keep me off the bike, but duststorms and lightning are. Over 5 fires burning in Arizona today as a result of lightning -- so it looks like Summer might be here early.

Currently at 10:30 P.M. it is 92°F.

Mile

This morning on the treadmill. 1.0 mile in 10:08. Not too spectacular.

This Sparrow

Is this a White Crowned Sparrow? I have to find that bird book. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

On the stereo: Juliana Hatfield. Hey Babe. "Running around in the desert, trying to get wet."

Get Off Your Knees

Juliana Hatfield - guitar, vocals • Mike Watt - bass • Mike Leahy - guitar • Clay Tarver - guitar • Todd Philips - drums

You taste little bits that wouldn't digest. And you shit 'em out of your system. You grab hands, squeeze, then let it go. Drop it and watch it fall away like snow. Yearning for a drug that doesn't exist. Using your mouth like a fist. That smile can't even show on your face. You gotta get out of this place. Like the noose snared to your leg don't fit. Though even if you found the key you can't. Get off your knees and repeat after me. "The devil rocks my soul." Accept the fact that he didn't die and you'll be good to go. There's a lump in my throat that won't go away. I'm gonna rip it out. I'm gonna kill desire and knock it down. You'll be under my foot down on the ground. You're trying to get the picture when there's nothing really to get. You're running around in the desert trying to get wet. You're wanting to hold on tight when there's nothing really to hold. Stop that train of thought that drives you into the cold. Get off your knees and repeat after me. "The devil rocks my soul." Accept the fact that he didn't die and you'll be good to go. Get off your knees and repeat after me. "The devil rocks my soul." Accept the fact that he didn't die and you'll be good to go.

Ask for More

I was First for a Change

That's never happened before. Me -- first in a physical activity. I had two older brothers. They were always first. Look at Tom Stormcrowe's site to see the week's miles. I think I was highest. I am sure that it is because Jill was on foot. The desert sometimes wants people to walk. Or run. Or dangle from a rope ... and swim.

Another Day

Date: 14 May 2006
Miles: 18.08
Average Speed: 14.9
May Mileage: 202.31
Weather: 96°F. Overcast.
Bike: Roadie

Cleaning, and Cleaning

I know -- this is what everyone has in their bathroom. Bengay -- for those days. Maalox, to counteract the effect of Gatorade. Dermatone sunscreen slime -- yuck. Badger muscle rub with cayenne. My personal favorite. An ice pack with an ace bandage still intact. Joi Juice.

The truth is -- I am expecting company soon. I don't know when, but soon. In honor of this I am cleaning the bathroom the way a grrrrl might. So that it's actually clean, guys. So it's clean for the moment. 

Red-Tailed Hawk(s)?

Is that a Red-tailed Hawk Fledgling? It's hard to tell. Assuming that one of the adults is on the nest -- who's that on the far tower.

Digital Photograph. © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved.

Date: 14 May 2006
Miles: 14.82
Average Speed: 14.7
May Mileage: 184.23
Weather: 100°F. Sunny.
Bike: Roadie

Nashbar™ Pannier/Daypack

I am going to follow Ruby's model and start reporting the bike for each trip -- Today's trip was to run a few errands, like check on the hawk nest and get some SPD pedals from the usually nice bike guy, and stop to pick up a few groceries. SO I decided to check out this bag I got from the Jeep driving mailman today, and get the commuter out of mothballs. I was tempted to transfer the Banjo Brothers™ seat bag off my roadie onto the commuter, but it didn't look like it was going to rain so I just threw a flat kit and some tools together.

Date: 13 May 2006
Miles: 22.0
Average Speed: 11.6
May Mileage: 169.41
Weather: 101°F. Sunny.
Bike: The Bianchi Commuter



Luggage tends to get personal. It can be really difficult or it can be a lifesaver. I have a backpack/suitcase that I bought when I was first married, with my then wife, as we prepared to go to Europe. These days that bag is relegated to carting around the traveling library of guide books that go on any extended birdwatching or photo trip. Everytime I look at that bag -- or touch it, a flood of memories rushes forward. "Voulez vous douche ensemble?" A shower with a band? what? Together. A shower together? No. "No?" NO. Like that.

I decided to carry the camera with me on the bike today. The bike on the camera is a bit of a luggage problem. A bit like this one:

luggage.wav(203K) luggage.mp3(203K)
Luggage Salesman (Barry McGovern): "Have you thought much about luggage, Mr. Banks?"
Joe: "No. I never really have."
Luggage Salesman: "It's the central preoccupation of my life. You travel the world, you're away from home, perhaps away from your family, all you have to depend on is yourself, and your luggage." trunk.wav(242K) trunk.mp3(242K)
Luggage Salesman: "This is our premier steamer trunk. All handmade, only the finest materials. It's even watertight. Tight as a drum. If I had the need and the wherewithal, Mr. Banks, this would be my trunk of choice."
Joe: "I'll take four of 'em."
Luggage Salesman: "May you live to be a thousand years old, sir."

The requirements for the camera are that the bag not fall off the bike, that the bag hold the camera completely when fully assembled, and that the bag be 100% waterproof. The Nashbar bag seems to fit the bill nicely, although the bag did fall off of the bike today, the result of user error.



The back panel of the pannier removes by unzipping to reveal a pair of shoulder straps. This means that it's quite heavy, and that the bag is held to the bike by a zipper. I'll need to remember to zip it completely so that the bag doesn't move about while driving.





This shot shows the drybag insert. It is a bit difficult to get items into this bag, but it seems that is a price that gets paid for having the safety of a dry bag. All the dangly straps make me nervous -- and I may have to add some velcro strips to the end of all the straps to allow me to wrap them up.

My appetite has finally come back after my century last week. I ate one of these. In it's entirety.

Desert Flower Report

 
Blooming Barrel Cactus, Valley of the Sun. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. 

Saguaro Out Front

  

Blooming Saguaro Cactus Flowers

Need I say more. Digital Photograph. © Shawn Kielty 2006, All rights reserved.

"Naked is a State of Mind"

So -- I've got Luscious Jackson coming out of the stereo. It's the first time the stereo has played music since move day -- Ok -- I've been a little remiss on the moving responsibilities. Frankly, I don't entertain that much by using the stereo. This particular section of the house has stayed packed because it is the first thing to move. I remember a younger day when the stereo was always on; it was the last thing out of the old house and the first thing into the new. I guess we change as we age.

I am staked out to try to photograph the bobcat. I suppose he is busy because it is a Friday night. Probably down at the laundromat doing the stray cat strut; checking out the bobbygirl-cats that have nothing better to do than their laundry on Friday night. "Hey girly-cat, want to come by and check out my etchings?" "Can't I just see 'em online, big bobcat?" "No -- this is the real thing -- it's not digital." "My name is Pussy Galore." "I must be dreaming. My name is Bobcat -- James Bobcat."

I know he is a male because he has stained a few things around the place with his adult sized mark. Bleach works. I am part of his territory. I am going to go out to mark the area as soon as I am finished with this post. James Bond might have behaved differently.

He's here for one of three reasons: I am an oasis and he's finding water, he's finding food, he wants to eat my cat or bird, or he's injured or ill. I haven't seen the coyotes for a while. I wonder if a 10-20 pound coyote is part of a 35 lb. bobcat's diet. He may be very close on a regular basis. He was nearby last night -- because my cat was a freak, growling and flying backwards up the cat pole. I wonder if I need to be worried about my own safety. "Mesa man passes out on back porch -- gets eaten by bobcat." Pass. No, thanks.

I am most concerned about this. If the bobcat can come in my house -- then he may start to try to show up in the Joneses house down the street. If Mrs. Jones, with a family and guntoting husband and a calling the sheriff and chasing bobcat down with dogs attitude, happens to get upset about finding a bobcat in her house. The stray cat etching sharing stud Mr. big cat bobcat is going to die. Unless Darwin was right. I am rooting for the cat. As I always do.

The CD player is chomping through the random all option -- currently it's the splendid lyrical voice of Marta Sebestyen -- The superb voice from the the soundtrack of the English Patient.

Porcupine Quill

100°F.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmoshpere Assoc.Gurus Sky Harbor airport was officially threedigitshot today. My riding was not quite so hot though, but I could feel it. And I could feel being still tired from Sunday.

Date: 10 May 2006
Miles: 14.7
Average Speed: Slower than vomit - >14.7
May Mileage: 147.41
Weather: Hmmm ... Hot? 104 on the happy bike riding buddy's bike thermometer (his miles are all kms, but his temps are F. -- and I think -- I am confused).

Things People Look for.

Searching on Google for "the average speed of vomit" brings my page right up on top -- it's quite an honor actually.

Try it yourself.

If you're actually trying to find the average speed of vomit -- it is going to take a bit of work.

Marsh Wren Nest

I thought I would throw this old shot up because the BirdChick is talking about a Marsh Wren on her blog. I found this Marsh Wren Nest at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in the Central Valley in California.

© Shawn Kielty 2004-2006. All rights reserved.

About Pearl the Cat

She's Mad! ... She would rather hunt for field mice and kangaroo rats than eat cat food from a bowl. She's a cat -- It seems that the bobcat may have in fact been chasing her and fell when trying to go up the cat pole, because it fell over under the weight of a bobcat in pursuit of a house cat.

Pearl the Cat seems to have survived. Go figure and knock on wood.