Cats and the View Outside My Window

What is it with the cats this time of year? Rain or fog or bright spring day, the male cats have decided my backyard is a good place to mark their territory, bask in the sun, have standoffs and stare downs with other male cats, and woo the lady cats from next door. Our cat stays inside because she is fixed and hates other cats and there is way too much drama going on out there. Even when she thinks she wants out and gets all pitiful by the door, one dash outside and she wants back in.

One majestic male, we named Phantom of the Opera because of the markings on his face. He is dressed in a brown tuxedo, too. He seems to score the most hits when you view the kittens from next door. A new black male has ventured into the yard. Sleek. Easily hidden in the shadows, but I could tell form Phantom's body language that there was another male around. The striped bushy tailed brown brother of the prolific patches kitty watches from our front yard shade. Patches, the momma, also has a few daughters from last year's litter that patrol the yard. One unfortunately has a Hitler-mustache face. Another has the Boy Scout mark in grey on her long haired white coat. Rare are the glimpses of the third one that I think the neighbors call, Cookie.

I wonder if all the males take time out of their love making to hunt mice and rats?

I have to keep the garage doors shut because the neighborhood cats love to mark inside the garage. And I don't dare leave lawn furniture out on the patio. A bag of fancy cat litter sitting open in the garage helps keep it smelling sweet just in case.