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Original poster

The weirdest thing- what to do?

69 replies

Alakazam8 · 17/10/2022 09:29

So at 6.45 this morning, so still dark for context. I opened my bedroom window to let the cat out. He likes to go out and sit on a flat roof. I left the window open and blind open whilst I tidied around in bedroom.
I caught sight of a flashing in the window and looked out to see someone standing opposite my window taking pictures. He had taken at least 6 in quick succession.

I shouted down saying ‘what are you doing’ (not thinking first thing in the morning). He shouted up that he was just taking photos of the cat. I then shouted ‘well don’t do that’ and the cat came in so I slammed the window shut and he moved off.
It has left me a bit shook up and wondering if it is something and nothing or if you would be worried about it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Alakazam8 · 17/10/2022 10:14

This would make me feel very uncomfortable. But maybe he was just taking a picture of the cat. I love cats (see username) so if I saw a cute one I might take a picture. Just keep an eye out.

sums up how I feel perfectly. Not making a drama, just asking a question. No big drama here!!

OP posts:
CuriousCatfish · 17/10/2022 10:15

MN will tell you he is staking out your house to burgle you or he's a creepy pervert. In the real world, he's just taking a photo of your cat.

Rosehugger · 17/10/2022 10:27

He may well have just been taking a picture of a cat, but you were right to ask him what he thought he was was doing.

Taking a picture of a cat in the street with say, a hedge behind it, at midday is very different from taking one coming out of a woman's bedroom window at 6.45am when it is at least still partially dark.

Men in particular should think carefully about how their actions come across as unfortunately, not all men, but a significant number of them are perverts, sex pests, rapists, abusers, harassers, violent or low level criminals. They should not just think "Oh, I'm taking a photo of a cat," but where are they, what time of day is it, what else is in the shot etc.

Rosehugger · 17/10/2022 10:30

I'm sure the upskirters on the Tube would deny they were taking a photo at all, or for some reason they had to take an interesting photo of the escalator just at that point, but unfortunately some woman's arse got in the way, or various other excuses. When it comes to photography it's not an anything goes free for all. You should consider privacy, location, what or who else is in the photo and so on.

girlmom21 · 17/10/2022 10:35

I took a picture of a stork on my neighbours roof this morning and if she'd have looked out her window she might have thought I was taking pictures of her too but it was completely innocent

MaMisled · 17/10/2022 10:45

I'll bet its just as he said. There was a huge raven pecking the ground very close to a car parked next to me and I took many photos to try out my new camera. Too late, I realised a woman was sat in the car! I gesticulated, pointing to the bird and smiling and doing silly motions of her putting her window down but she took off really quickly! She's probably been on here since saying similar to you OP!

CuriousCatfish · 17/10/2022 10:58

MaMisled · 17/10/2022 10:45

I'll bet its just as he said. There was a huge raven pecking the ground very close to a car parked next to me and I took many photos to try out my new camera. Too late, I realised a woman was sat in the car! I gesticulated, pointing to the bird and smiling and doing silly motions of her putting her window down but she took off really quickly! She's probably been on here since saying similar to you OP!

😂

LindaEllen · 17/10/2022 11:07

GlassOuijan · 17/10/2022 09:45

But why is he even there, at 6.45, camera/phone in hand, anticipating a cat appearing? It's like he'd been waiting for it, after watching the property or something.

Is there any reason anyone would object to your cat going out and being on the flat roof, OP?

Show quote history

Who said he was stood there waiting for the cat for goodness sake? He's out walking, possibly on his way to work, sees a cat, takes a photo of it. I love cats so my DP takes photos of cute cats he sees when he's out all the time. Not everything has to be sinister.

Colderthanever · 17/10/2022 11:41

Some of the replies on here are so odd. Like why was he out at 6.45 like that’s a weird thing to do 🤣

CuriousCatfish · 17/10/2022 11:44

It's like no one could ever imagine someone having to walk to work at that time of the morning.

SniggleSnarf · 17/10/2022 11:50

Why is everyone acting like this is normal behaviour?! I wouldn't dream of taking pictures of someone's cat that early - right next to their window 🤨

There are lots of pictures of cats about. No offence OP, but I'm sure your cat isn't that amazing that someone had to have their own private photos.

Zott · 17/10/2022 11:53

I’d 100% assume he was casing the joint. I am naturally suspicious though.

Newpuppymummy · 17/10/2022 11:55

I mean it’s not something that I would be worked up about

ofwarren · 17/10/2022 11:57

Wafflesnsniffles · 17/10/2022 10:13

Thats really weird. Whats the point of taking photos of cats when its dark?!

I did this the other week when my DS and I had an early morning train journey.
We took a few photos of a beautiful white cat we saw, with the flash on 😬

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 17/10/2022 11:59

He’s an ordinary black and white cat, not a tiger, stork or a particularly attractive white cat if that helps!

OP posts:
CuriousCatfish · 17/10/2022 12:12

I was taking pictures of the sun rise over the houses the other morning. I'm sure any Mumsnetter looking out of their bedroom window must have thought I was a weirdo. 😂

girlmom21 · 17/10/2022 13:26

Alakazam8 · 17/10/2022 11:59

He’s an ordinary black and white cat, not a tiger, stork or a particularly attractive white cat if that helps!

Yeah but he was sitting on a roof.

girlmom21 · 17/10/2022 13:26

The cat, not the stork. Well the stork was too but...

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 17/10/2022 13:31

girlmom21 Not sitting but pootling about, so on the move…. Not that that would make any difference! 😃

OP posts:
redskyhaze · 17/10/2022 13:42

Well do you think he was up to anything weird, OP? Did he have a creepy vibe or was he just a person taking a picture of a cat?

If you've never seen him before then I would give the benefit of the doubt. If you start to see him lurking around a lot then that would obviously be a concern.

redskyhaze · 17/10/2022 13:46

SniggleSnarf · 17/10/2022 11:50

Why is everyone acting like this is normal behaviour?! I wouldn't dream of taking pictures of someone's cat that early - right next to their window 🤨

There are lots of pictures of cats about. No offence OP, but I'm sure your cat isn't that amazing that someone had to have their own private photos.

It's not like it's the middle of the night. He might just be out for a stroll before work.

GlassOuijan · 17/10/2022 13:58

CuriousCatfish · 17/10/2022 10:15

MN will tell you he is staking out your house to burgle you or he's a creepy pervert. In the real world, he's just taking a photo of your cat.

In your “real world” there are no perverts, no burglaries and there’s never anyone that’s not acting entirely innocently? Where is it? I’d love to move there.
In the actual real world these things are all too common, unfortunately.

The man in this case was, in all likelihood, entirely harmless and not ill intentioned, but his behaviour was unusual, so it’s a good thing to be vigilant.

kingtamponthefurred · 17/10/2022 14:05

Why don't you believe your cat is photogenic?

FistFullOfRegrets · 17/10/2022 14:13

Alakazam8 · 17/10/2022 09:37

No not naked, fully dressed! ! And he said he was photographing the cat. It just really struck me as weird. Maybe I’m overthinking….

Yep, you're over thinking it. Cute cat sitting on the flat roof... I'd take photos. It's not dark/dark at that time of morning, it's a nice light for photos.

NippyWoowoo · 17/10/2022 14:19

I've taken pics of cats in the window before...they were eerie looking and made the house look haunted 😂

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