JB's Big World

Red Velvet Ant

2013-07-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

This red furry guy was in our yard this week. I did some research and found out he is a Red Velvet Ant. No, not sweet like Red Velvet Cake, but mean like a wasp! That's right, this is type of wasp, and he is sometimes called a Cow Killer because of his bad sting.

Mom, thanks for the Big World Report, but I don't want to be friends with this guy.

That's a BIG Frog, and That's no Bull!

2013-07-13T15:22:00.002-05:00

We have seen toads in our pool, like this little guy who is maybe 2.5 inches long.

A toad is a toad, and this little guy does not bother mom much.

But last night, this is what was swimming in our pool! A toad is a toad, but this toad is a Frog! He was so big, maybe 8 inches long, not stretched out. I did some research, and found this is a BULLFROG, the largest of all frogs! It has some brighter green near his face, and his back legs are disproportionately long, and no webbing on his front feet. Wow, now that's a big frog, and that's no bull!

Whoo Are You, Whoo Whoo, Whoo Whoo!

2013-07-10T18:08:00.000-05:00

This is another (late) installment of mom's visit to Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge up north of us near Sherman TX. The Raptor Project was there doing an educational show about raptor birds. We don't like seeing birds in captivity like this but as noted in my last post, most have been injured in some way so the Raptor Project took them in to care for them as they would not make it in the wild.

Mom met a lot of new owl friends for me!

From the cutest, like this Gray Morph Screech Owl, who lives in the Americas...

To the largest owl of all, the Eagle Owl, common in the UK!

Yikes, look at those talons! He could carry a little JellyBean like me away! I think this might be a Barred Owl.

This Snowy White Owl, is well, very snowy and showy!

And here is the very smallest of owls, the Burrowing Owl!

That is a great Big World Report, mom! Thanks for finding me all these new Owl friends!

Whoo Whoo!!!

Barn Owl and Baby!

2013-06-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

Much delays in getting mom to help me with this blog...sheesh.

Well, here we continue on with mom's Big World Report, with a cute new friend, the Barn Owl!

He also was part of the Raptor Project demonstration which was at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, which was doing demonstrations and education about raptors.

The Barn Owl demonstrated a flying exercise and flew right over all the people's heads!

He flew around and then went to his owner's hand.....

....to eat meat!

Mom does hate that the birds were in captivity, but they said the birds in this show were all injured in some way that they could not make it in the wild.

What beautiful wings he has!

The Barn Owl is very widely distributed species of owls.

And what is this? The Barn Owl has very cute fluffy babies!

This little guy sure is cute! Oh, and he is not an eagle owl, that was another bird.

"Hello JB, will you be my friend?"

Naturally, I am very excited to have these Barn Owls as my new owl friends!

Whoo whoo whoo, will be in my next post? Wait and see!

Bald Eagle Sighting!

2013-05-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago, I sent mom on a Big World Assignment to the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge up near Sherman TX. This is about 45 minutes north of us. There was an event going on called BirdFest, and everyone knows how I love birdies! These were some really big birdies!

Though mom and I don't like seeing birds in captivity, mom did learn a lot at the presentation from traveling exhibition called The Raptor Project. She also saw these birds way close up!

There were lots of birds of prey there but the star of the show was Uncle Sam, the Bald Eagle! He has been with the owners of this exhibition for 20 years, as he lost a portion of his left wing in an accident a long time ago.

The owners of this traveling show do wildlife rehabilitation. Those birds that they can heal get released back into the wild, but those that sustain serious injuries and can not be released back in the wild, stay with this traveling road show. The show helps educate people about these wonderful feathered friends. The owner of the show says he hires "the handicapped".

Uncle Sam: Hi JB! I hope you think I am fabulous! Your mom said this is the closest she has ever seen a Bald Eagle before!

Thank you for this Big World Report, mom! I really like Uncle Sam, and I do think he is fabulous!

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all!

VERY ANGRY at Our Neighbor

2013-05-22T19:41:00.001-05:00

We are all VERY angry at our neighbor who has the tuxedo that they let roam free in our neighborhood. Don't read this post further if you don't want to be upset. Mom and us cats enjoy watching Mister, the rabbit, in our yard as some of you know. Mister and Misses had some baby rabbits that recently were running through our yard and our next door neighbors' yard, and our next door neighbors have caught a few pictures of the babies even.

Well, tonight, the stupid tuxedo (the one that makes Charli very anxious when he is introoding in our yard), hunted one of the babies and ate it for dinner right in our next door neighbors' yard. We are all VERY ANGRY with our other neighbor, who this tuxedo belongs too, for allowing him to roam free. Mom and our next door neighbor sent an email out to our entire HOA to let everyone know what happened and how horrified we all are.

Cats should be kept inside for their own safety and for our wildlife's safety.

We are all very upset.

This is a photo mom took of Mister in our yard just only an hour ago, before this horrible incident occurred. We and Mister are now in mourning over the baby bunny. Mom was supposed to buy carrots at the store for the baby yesterday, but with the bad storm we had, she was not able to get there. We also hope Mister is ok, as we have not seen him since this happened.

May there be loads of carrots for this baby rabbit at the Rainbow Bridge. RIP Mister's baby. We will miss you.

Yikes, Yellow Belly!

2013-05-04T16:59:00.002-05:00

Mom was not pleased to find something from my Big World inside our Small World.

This appears to be a juvenile Eastern Yellow Bellied Racer Snake. He has now gone to the Rainbow Bridge in our trash can....not poisonous but mom said he can not be my friend.

Do Dogs Wear Hats?

2013-04-20T16:48:00.001-05:00

Mom went to the McKinney Farmer's Market again this morning. I told her if she went, she would also have to be on Big World Assignment!

Here is mom's Big World Report!

She brought back her footage, and I pondered the thought.....

Do dogs wear hats?

A few little humans there must have also been pondering this thought!

Great Pyrenees, they do!!

"Yes, JB, I'm afraid sometimes dogs do wear hats. If you are a Great Pyranees like me, our temperament is very patient, so alas, I am being very patient with my human today, allowing her to dress me in this silly hat!"

Who knew dogs wore hats? I must ponder this some more.

One thing I do know? I, JB, will never EVER let my mom dress me in a hat!

Be sure to stop by JB's Small World too, to see me and my siblings in action!

Chester of Chestnut Square.....Is He Real?

2013-04-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

Mom decided to start doing Big World Assignments for me again, when she has time.

I said, It's about time, mom!

I asked mom to go to Chestnut Square in McKinney, near our house to see if there really is another Chester the Cat, as we have heard rumor there is.

My brother, Chester, thinks he is the one and only! As if!

The Farmer's Market was going on, and mom thought she would never find Chester in all the commotion, but she decided to look around this plant seller. Purrhaps they had catnip plants, and Chester might be around?

Mom heard something, and looked down near an herb plant, that looked oddly like a variety of catnip.

There was Chester! He was rubbing against the herb plant!

This Chester did not look like our Chester. He was a tabby like our Chester, but he was a gray tabby with short hair. He was just hanging out in the midst of all the noise at the Farmer's Market. He told mom that he is real, he is famous, and he even wrote a book!

Mom was in awe, that Chester was really real. Chester told mom to go into Dixie's Store across the street, and there she found that he certainly was famous! He even had his own merchandise for sale!

This Chester the Cat adopted the people at historical Chestnut Square back in 2011. My brother, Chester the Cat, adopted mom and me in 2009. Who knew there were two Chester the Cats living so close to each other?

Sheesh, now my brother, Chester, wants to write a book too!

Birdie Smorgasbord!

2012-08-24T13:55:00.002-05:00

Feast your eyes on this delectable Birdie Smorgasbord!

We sure did in our backyard at my CatHouse!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Baa Baa, Bye JB's Mom

2012-07-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

So mom is way behind in helping me blog, as usual. This is the last installment of mom's Big World Assignment to England.

Mom's hotel was in Sidmouth right on the sea. The last morning, she and the Flat Cats enjoyed one more whiff and sniff of the fresh sea air.

Mom had very much enjoyed the stunning view from her room.

And the view of her favorite thatched roof house.

There was one more excursion to the other end of the beach, to admire the view some more.

The Flat Cats enjoyed it too!

Sadly, it was then time to take the "highway" back to the airport.

Mom stopped at a relaxing vineyard, for a last cup of English coffee.

Last but not least, mom found me some English Sheep friends. They were standing by to bid mom farewell from jolly olde England.

These English Sheep sure have very thick fur coats!

Baa, baa, bye JB's mom! Come back soon!

That concludes mom's Big World Assignment to Sidmouth, and Devon England. Till next time!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

English Cats are Fab!

2012-07-09T10:16:00.000-05:00

Continuing on from mom's Big World Report in Devon, England, mom and Milo and Alfie's mom made their way back over the hill back to where mom was staying and where Milo and Alfie live, in Sidmouth. Sidmouth is a beautiful little coastal town, and mom loved it there.

Upon arrival at Milo and Alfie's house, mom met none other than the famous Milo and Alfie!

"My name is Milo. I am an English Cat. We got a visit from these also equally famous Flat Cats from Texas!"

"My name is Alfie. I must inspect the Flat Cats to make sure they are not introoders!"

Mom said this part of her Big World Assignment was a study on whether English Cats have as good control over their household staff as American Cats do.

In this photo, they seem to be as they have their dad trained quite well with treat dispensing!

Milo: I am an English Cat and I have staff! AND, I have tissue paper!

Alfie: I am and English Cat and I have staff. AND, my mum and dad are trained to a T!

These findings seem to be true as Alfie proceeded to have his dad entertain him with a simple stick and some feathers attached to a string! He had trained his dad to wave the stick in the air on command.

Good job, Alfie!

Milo: JB, English Cats are FAB!

I must agree. I do believe English Cats are definitely FAB!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

A Spot of Ice Cream, and "Stop the Car, I Need to Take a Picture!"

2012-07-05T10:29:00.001-05:00

Continuing on with mom's Big World Report at Budleigh Salterton, in Southwestern England in Devon, mom admired the beautiful Jurassic pebbles on the beach a bit more.

Then mom headed back over to Milo and Alfie's mum, who was now waiting with the Flat Cats, and all were sniffing and enjoying the fresh sea breezes...

...while watching some Swans fly overhead.

Mom took a picture of the Budleigh Salterton sign to remember where she had been.

A friendly Sea Gull asked "Are you JB's mom? Would you like to share a spot of English ice cream with me?"

And then mom, the Flats, and Milo and Alfie's mum left, and being the good Big World Reporter that mom was....

She kept looking for more animal friends for me all the way back to town, shouting many times, "Stop, stop the car, I need to take a picture!"

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

English Seashore

2012-07-03T09:30:00.001-05:00

On mom's last trip across the pond to Holland, she also stopped in to visit Milo and Alfie's mum in southwestern England. Naturally, she had to have the Flat Cat gang come along! The Flats met up with Flat Milo and Alfie at the seashore, at Budleigh Salterton.

While the Flats were having a nip coffee and some cool spring water, mom went in search of animal friends for me. Flats don't like to get their furs wet as much as us real cats, so they stayed away from the water!

Mom seems to be resting in this picture. I hope she gets up soon to look for animal friends!

Ok, there goes mom, camera in hand! Amazing, the pebbles on this beach are upwards of 245 million years old! You are not allowed to take the stones as they are part of a World Heritage Site and the Jurassic Coast.

Then mom found something washed up on the shore. It looks like some kind of a Cuttlefish. The Cuttlefish has a cuttlebone which is porous and provides buoyancy. This cuttlebone is unique to Cuttlefish and distinguishes them from their squid relatives.

Did you throw him back in the ocean, mom?

Mom then looked to her left and saw a black Sea Monster coming out of the water!

That's not a Sea Monster, mom! That is a black dog having fun with his owner!

This area is called Otter Estuary, and there were more dogs playing in the water here too! Mom thought it was very beautiful here and thanked me for sending her on a Big World Assignment to England!

Ok, mom, what's next at this pretty English seashore?

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Fierce Store Security Guard

2012-06-25T12:36:00.001-05:00

Continuing on with mom's Big World Assignment in Holland. Next up was this fierce looking store security guard, of the English Bulldog variety! He was keeping watch over a jewelry store in the town of Leiden.

He was very gruff with mom and said he was on duty so he could not talk. Mom kept trying to pester him, to agree to by my friend.

But he was very adamant that he was on duty and he turned his head away from mom to watch the exit of the store. He said if mom would please leave him alone, he would send me a peemail later and accept my offer of friendship.

That was weeks ago, and I am still waiting for that peemail.

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

New Horsie Friends, and a Crazy Woman!

2012-06-19T12:03:00.000-05:00

Next stop for mom, was a visit to Limburg, which is in the Southern part of Holland. Mom saw a couple of new animal friends for me and stopped the car immediately to talk to them!

This friendly Horse, came trotting up to the fence right away to say hello! "Please tell JB, I am very excited to be her friend", he said.

"Click, click, click", went mom's camera!

"JB, you really need to control your mom with that camera!"

Uh oh, mom used the flash on the horse and he had to run away!

"I am just a small Pony. I better keep my distance from the crazy woman with the camera! JB, your mom is nuts!"

Oh dear, mom, you must be more discreet with your photo taking skills! You are scaring my new friends away by taking so many photos!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Kritters in Katwijk!

2012-06-13T10:41:00.001-05:00

Mom's next stop in Holland, was at the beach at Katwijk, just a bit north of Scheveningen, from my last post.

Mom, those are cute little houses just my size!

Mom found the beach easy enough, as there were some of my Sheep friends standing on the grass covered dunes next to the sea, saying: "Baaaah, baaah. Oveeeer theeere!"

While mom loves the sea, this beach was a bit more dirty looking than the one in Scheveningen.

Mom....what is that scattered all over the sand?

I found out it is a bunch of abandoned houses from my friends, the Razor Clams!

Do you suppose they up-sized to new bigger houses?

Mom said she did not want to tell me what really happened to them....

Mom kept walking, but then leaped into the air as she almost stepped on my Blue Jellyfish friend!! He just swam in from the North Sea, to meet my mom.

Then she leaped in the air again and almost fell flat on her face trying to miss this invisible Moon Jellyfish! He swam in too to say hello.

Then, as "luck" would have it, mom did not step on my new Ladybug friend, but he so eager to be my friend that he flew out to the sea to meet my mom too!

My new Ladybug friend is my most favorite friend of the day!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Arctic Sea Gulls Are My Friends!

2012-06-09T09:30:00.002-05:00

After mom met the pesky European Starlings in the last post, she went in search of some more animal friends for me in Holland!

Next stop was the beach at Scheveningen!

Look mom, look! I see birdie friends in the distance!

Mom was very hard at work on her Big World Assignment, looking for my birdie friends.

Then she saw real evidence of my new friends, and found some birdie pawprints!

There were lots of Sea Gulls playing in the water on the beach! They appear to be Arctic Gulls from their coloring.

Mom enjoyed doing this Big World Report because the day was gorgeous and the sea was so pretty.

The Gulls showed mom around a bit, and then....

....they flew about their business.

Mom then walked back inland, past the Scheveningen Pier, and went in search of more animal friends for me in Holland!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Feathered Friends at Mom's Table

2012-06-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

Mom's most recent trip and Big World Assignment took her first to Holland. She goes there a lot to visit family, plus she just loves the country.

Mom decided to go visit the town of Volendam, since it has been a while since she had been there, and it was such a peaceful town last time she visited. Mom walked around a bit, but eventually she got hungry.

Mom decided to eat Pannekoeken (Dutch pancake), so she stopped at a waterfront cafe. Immediately she thought, what interesting patrons at this cafe! There were no people but instead there were many European Starlings hanging around, and they were very pushy with mom.

They took turns hopping onto mom's table and demanded:

"Feed me! Feed me!"

They were not only on the table, but also at mom's feet demanding:

"Feed me! Feed me!"

Mom thought, this sounded ever so familiar, just as if she was eating a meal at home.

Finally mom gave in, and surrendered her plate to the Starlings.

And the moral of the story?

Persistence pays off!

Trust me, I know, when it comes to food!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Goats, the Right Size for Me!

2012-05-12T12:38:00.000-05:00

Mom was on her own photo assignment project today, but did a Big World Report, on the side for me.

Mom went to the McKinney Farmer's Market in downtown McKinney TX, at Chestnut Square Historical Village.

Guess what she found?

She found me some Nigerian Dwarf Goat friends! This type of Goat has a maximum height of 21 inches!

Little Goat friends for little me!

They are both female and their names are Collin and McKinney, and were born in August 2011. They were named after the county we live in, Collin County, and city of the Farmer's Market is McKinney TX. They love treats like leaves and dried corn, but those kind of treats are not for me, so don't get any ideas, mom!

They love to walk on a leash amongst the people at the Farmer's Market, kind of like a dog! They also participate in events in the Square, so they are kind of like Market mascots.

Nice to meet you, Collin and McKinney!

Mom will come visit you again soon!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Frogs Don't Like Catnip

2012-04-19T08:34:00.001-05:00

There's a frog on my blog.

I think he is tame.

He came from the pond,

As he hollered my name

I asked him for friendship.

He said, Ok sure!

But don't share your catnip,

Or this will all be a blur!

Frogs don't like catnip.

I just don't know why.

But this frog is so hip,

Cos we both do LOVE flies!

~JB

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

This Friend was not to my Mom's Liking!

2012-04-13T09:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes some of my animal friends like to come inside my house.

When we had the last really big rain, it happened again, and this guy slithered into our garage.

I guess snakes don't like to get wet, just like me!

This is my friend, the Eastern Ribbon Snake. He is a relative of the Garter Snake. My new friend has some differences from the Garter Snake, however. He is thinner and his tail makes up one third of his body. He also has pure white lips and a white dot above his eyes. Those are the characteristics of an Eastern Ribbon Snake.

Mom was not pleased.

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Flowers or Friends??

2012-04-05T12:41:00.000-05:00

So a couple of weeks ago, mom told me she was going on a Big World Assignment for me to the country, just east of our house here in North Texas.

She said it was so treacherous getting out there, she had to have her friend drive her big truck. Mom made it sound like this was going to be a big adventure and a wonderful report, with lots of new Animal Friends for me.....

....but what is this mom? Were you looking for Flowers or Friends?? Mom said, these are some Texas Bluebonnets. Can't they be your friends?

Very funny, mom!

Mom had arrived at Anderson Farms. This land has been farmed by the same family since 1869, and is located in Farmersville TX. They have had a nursery open to the public now since 2008.

"Hey, are you JB's mom?" Mom looked and saw the resident Garden Dog. His name was Rascal, and he was the Nursery Supervisor. Mom hollered back at him, "Yes, I am! I am here to buy Flowers, uh, I mean, I am here looking for Animal Friends for JB!"

Mom proceeded to load her cart with lots of Flowers, but no Friends for me.

While leaving the farm, I see mom was also looking at the pretty scenery too, rather than finding Animal Friends for me.

Then what did I see in mom's report? A single Donkey. The Donkey told mom he was grateful to be my friend because he was lonely standing all by himself by the side of the dirt road.

I am glad this Donkey is my friend, and so is the Donkey!

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

Caterpillar Convention!

2012-03-30T14:38:00.001-05:00

I guess it is time to pull out our pansies in our front yard. The weather is getting hot, and there is a Variegated Fritillary convention going on, and they are all eating Pansy Salad! Variegated Fritillary is a fancy word for a type of Caterpillar.

Mom is not pleased, and she says she is going to KILL all my little friends this weekend!

I told mom, she should not kill them because they will become beautiful butterflies soon. Mom does not care. :-(

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!

No Cats to be Found....

2012-03-26T14:39:00.000-05:00

Mom continued on her Big World Assignment in South Texas near Padre Island with one more stop.

She went to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Here she was supposed to find me an Ocelot friend, but all she found was a stuffed one in the visitor center! This did not make me very happy.

Mom said she searched and searched in the area noted on the map in pink where they were observed the most, but no Ocelots to be found. Do you suppose they just did not want to be my friends? I sure hope not.

Can you believe that the only animal friends mom found for me on this stop were these Plain Chachalacas? They seemed very tame and were eating some fruit left out by the wildlife refuge workers. This is a large chicken-like bird and it gets it's name from it's loud obnoxious calls. It lives mainly in Mexico, Central and South America and it is the only member of the family of guans, currasows, and chachalacas to reach the United States into South Texas! Wow!

Ok, that wraps up mom's short Big World Report to South Padre Island. What's next, mom?

Before you go, please stop by JB's SMALL WORLD too, thanks!