Saddle-billed Stork
~ Saddle-billed Stork capture © Jerry L. Ferrara from Zimbabwe, Africa
SHOT FROM THE FILE
Black-tailed Prairie Dog – GOTCHA!
GOTCHA! I had been trying for more than a week to photographically record the essence of young Black-tailed Prairie Dog play behavior in Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. Chasing one another seemed a particularly favorite endeavor and their capers might best be described as fast and furious. It was frustratingly difficult to capture the action once an escapade began. During one such episode, the ‘chasee’ suddenly evaporated from sight by ducking down a burrow. Its playmate, the ‘chaser’, cautiously approached the mound. Suddenly the pup ‘down under’ popped from the hole while its surprised companion exploded into the air. The electrified moment just screamed GOTCHA! Off they went then tumbling and rolling with each other, and sprinting across the colony continuing their fast-track game. Even though I wouldn’t see the results for weeks [it was the era of film], I felt good about the session. As I walked away from the scene that day, I paused briefly, turned back to my subjects and said, “Gotcha!” ~ Anecdote and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, GOTCHA! © Jerry L. Ferrara. First generation image created on Kodachrome 64 film in spring of 1995.
Pied-billed Grebe – Its Puckish Mien
Its Puckish Mien The first time I heard a Pied-billed Grebe give voice I was struck by how lonely, if not haunting, it sounded. I had no idea who the hidden author was, but then it floated out of the reeds and marsh grass and into view. I was captivated by its puckish mien. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology [All About Birds] refers to the ‘pint-sized’ species as “Part bird, part submarine…”. The reclusive Pied-billed Grebe is especially noted for its exceptional diving prowess. ~ Anecdote and Pied-billed Grebe capture, Its Puckish Mien © Jerry L. Ferrara
Black Bear – Mamma Bear
Mamma Bear There’s that starefrom Mamma BearShould you careor even dare?Will you swearwhen angst does flare?’Cause Mamma Bearwill bring despair Years ago we were driving back to the lower 48 from Alaska and had just crossed in to the Yukon Territory. Suddenly we came across this sow Black Bear and her two rambunctious cubs. She gave us the stare! ~ Poem, anecdote and Black Bear capture, Mamma Bear © Jerry L. Ferrara AddendumThe three bear rule:If it’s brown, lay down;If it’s black, fight back[unless it’s Mamma Bear and then you’re probably screwed!];If it’s white, say good night. …Author unknown
Solar Activity – Sunspots
Sunspots capture was made on July 10, 2022, using a Baader solar filter over the front lens. The image was created at 16X and cropped in post. Shutter speed was 1/4000 second at f8.0. CAVEAT! Never point a camera and lens [especially a telephoto] directly at the Sun without proper filtration. ~ Solar activity capture, Sunspots © Jerry L. Ferrara
Alaskan Brown Bear
~ Alaskan Brown Bear captures © Jerry L. Ferrara
Bobcat – Intent
Intent Intent, intent, so I am bentA Bobcat’s prey will feel dismay ~ Poem and Bobcat capture, Intent © Jerry L. Ferrara. Capture made in a gopher-filled northern California meadow.
California Quail – Vox Clamantis
Vox Clamantis Be keen to the call of the California Quail. Vox clamantis, a voice crying out. ~ Anecdote and California Quail capture, Vox Clamantis © Jerry L. Ferrara
Kittiwake – Kittiwake, Oh Kittiwake
Kittiwake, Oh Kittiwake According to Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology, the Black-legged Kittiwake is a pelagic species of gull usually found far out in the northern seas unless it is breeding and rearing its young. In my copy of Arthur Cleveland Bent’s Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns, the author states “The ordinary cry of the Kittiwake suggests its name …” Kittiwake, Oh KittiwakeWhat a strange noise you do makeYour voice does cause one double-takeIt sounds a bit like your namesake ~ Poem and Kittiwake captures, Kittiwake, Oh Kittiwake © Jerry L. Ferrara. Kittiwake images recorded in Iceland and Norway.
Waterbuck – A Mirror Image
A Mirror Image An inquisitive Waterbuck near Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River pauses pregnantly near a still pool of water casting back a mirror image of itself. ~ Anecdote and Waterbuck capture, A Mirror Image © Jerry L. Ferrara