It's a jungle out there...

As I sit here, writing this post, the sun is setting and the creatures are slowly going to sleep. It is 7:45pm Kauai time. I am taking a minute to write about what my mother has started lovingly referring to as the Jungle Creatures of Kauai.

First, we have the roosters.



Apparently, cock-fighting was huge on the island back in the day, and although now illegal, it is still prevalent. Well, during one of the massive hurricanes of the last decade, all the roosters got loose, and instead of dying off, they procreated and now there are literally THOUSANDS of wild roosters running about the island. I must add that there are no coyotes or any other major threat to them, so the rooster population just keeps growing. In fact, they sell plush roosters and call them the island mascot in many of the tourist shops!! Let me tell you, they wake up early, and they crow all day long. While cute with their chicks...

They are annoying at best. I will say this, I am growing accustomed to the sound, but I am also lucky to have 2 full weeks here!!! Should you ever visit Kauai, bring earplugs if you like to sleep-in.

Next up are the birds. Beyond the roosters, I mean. There are Myna-birds, and these little ones that I love called Java Sparrows. They have what sounds like an endless conversation. Tonight, mom and I discovered that they love to perch on the eves trough next door and they do this cute little shuffle. I will try to video it for all of you. They look like little penguin-birds. The house that we are staying in has a little bird house and since I have started putting seeds in it, I have noticed a huge upswing in bird population. Here they are sitting at the 'bar':

In the neighbourhood that we are staying, there are 3 dogs next door who don't ever stop barking. Maybe it is because we are new and they do not recognize us, but holy cow... I don't have a pic. Just know that they are small dogs. And truly, nothing against small dogs, but they do tend to make big noises.

Last but definitely the best, are the 2 feral cats. Kalani and her baby, Kama. They have been adopted by the family that owns the house, and this is definitely their 'safe place'. They are so cute... while slightly apprehensive of us at first, they have quickly warmed and the mother let me pet her tonight. This is of the two of them watching me cut up their scraps from our Mahi-Mahi dinner last night...

And this is cute little Kama smelling the delish fish and getting a little daring...

As an aside, about Kama, she is very brave and will take-down any gecko or large bug that even dares come close to the lanai. She is an excellent bug-taker-downer. It is very amusing to watch her pulverize and play with and then finally devour the aforementioned geckos and other prey that cross her playful path.

So here's how it goes. 4:00ish-am. The roosters start, which wakes up the dogs, which makes the roosters crow louder, which wakes up all the birdies in the trees who add in their song, and it makes for quite a morning cacophony. Whew. I am positive that I will miss it all when I am home and listening to the crazy people across the street with their house music at 9am.

Hawaii Cacophony beats Toronto Cacophony any day of the week. Guess what my mom's fave new word is? Here's a clue, I said it 3 times in this post!!!