Queen of Sheba

I know this is sort of hard to see - black cat on black counters (note the new counters!). But I walked into the kitchen last night and Felix was regally reclined across the counter like the Queen of Sheba. I don't know if you can see it, but his front paw is gently curled underneath him.

Why do cats like to stretch out like this?

Or, take this picture. I took this not thirty minutes after the above photo. Why do cats like to perch up on objects? This is the same counter where I had placed an oven mit, which Felix promptly perched himself on!