Happily Ever After

Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running

Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.

The Argus And The Admiral

by admin - 14:23 on 04 August 2014

Butterfly hunting continues to be a challenging task when cats are involved. Yesterday, a splendid Red Admiral narrowly escaped Pandora's pouncing paws before I'd had a chance to approach it. Today, a Scotch Argus was almost seized in mid-air when it fluttered carelessly close to an ambling Maia who reacted out of pure instinct.

Our black cat must be picking up bad habits from The Fearless Ones because her hunting exploits have increased. An apologetic yowl of confused triumph is now heard more often inside The Rural Retreat when she enters to place her prey on the doormat: usually a tiny ex-shrew or a teeny ex-mouse, occasionally an indignant and very alive vole that scurries into the shadows. Feline frenzy follows, but more often than not their quarry disappears, presumably to live a more cautious life after finding its way outdoors.

But back to butterflies. Maia's attempted interception wasn't as frustrating as it might have been because I'd snapped an Argus yesterday, not long after missing the Red Admiral, while moggies relaxed in the shade, too hot to be bothered.

So the collection grows slowly. I'll keep trying.

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