Animals - Martha Hopkins

Here's a Scarlet Tanager on a honeysuckle vine we saw at one of Dauphin Island's Bird Sanctuaries. It was migrating time when daughter Caroline and I were there a few weeks ago in March, and the bird watching and just plain peace and quiet were wonderful.

Here's Ebenezer, my Bengal kitty, with his "I may look laid back, but I'll probably rip you to shreds one day" look. Bengals are a relatively new breed, and are 4th generation from the Wild Asian Leopard Cat. His ancestors lived in trees, and he likes to travel in the car with me, draped around my shoulders like a fur piece. Bengals are good companions, but are not for everyone. I'm pretty much his pet, not the other way around; i.e., constantly trying to please him when he cries loudly (he likes raw meat), and letting him in and out 100 times/day.

Here I am at Dauphin Island a few weeks ago, holding daughter Caroline's half Jack Russell/half Chihuahua. Pixie is a sweetheart, and follows w/o a leash.