SHOT FROM THE FILE

Spotted Hyena – Unique I Be

Spotted Hyena

Unique I Be Unique I beSome think of meI outwardlyLook canidaeBut it’s not soHyenas knowThat comment’s fauxDogs? Oh, NO! NO!If you’ll assentHear my resentFor my descentIs cat-like bent The Spotted Hyena may appear to be a dog but it is not. While not really a cat either, scientific studies indicate hyenas may share a closer evolutionary relationship somewhere in the ancient past with felines rather than canines. ~ Poem, anecdote and Spotted Hyena capture, Unique I Be © Jerry L. Ferrara

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African Elephant – How Silently It Treads

African Elephant

How Silently It Treads A giant ambles the quiet recesses of the wild It’s uncanny how silently it treads Vacant is the view one moment, then magically and mysteriously the behemoth materializes Through the course of its passage there’s not a whisper from the broom In the blink of an eye there’s a hushed departure —- It is incredibly stunning how the largest living land mammal is so adept at moving noiselessly through the environment. ~ Anecdote and African Elephant capture, How Silently It Treads © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Short-eared Owl – Spirit On The Wing

Short-eared Owl

Spirit On The Wing It was late in the day and the sun was briskly heading in the direction of its nightly resting site. The light maintained a gentle bearing reflecting a softness absent of stark shadows. As a cool, moist breeze from the Pacific drifted through the tranquil coastal marsh, a gossamer creature magically appeared midair. The Short-eared Owl was on a quest. Its odyssey was strictly hunger-driven … and so, the moth-like specter silently sailed on wings wide … a spirit on the wing. ~ Anecdote and Short-eared Owl capture, Spirit On The Wing © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Sandhill Crane – A Remarkable Traveler

A Remarkable Traveler In more than one way the Sandhill Crane is a remarkable traveler. In spring, they journey north to procreate and raise their offspring. In fall, the stately birds reverse the northward movement and overwinter in more favorable southern climes. Their migratory maneuvers involve thousands of miles. The Sandhill Crane is also a ‘time traveler’ of sorts … atleast when considering its genetic expression. Fossil remnants of Sandhill Cranes indicate the species has been extant in North America for about 2.5 million years according to Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. The Sandhill Crane is currently considered to be the oldest living bird species on the continent. ~ Anecdote and Sandhill Crane captures, A Remarkable Traveler © Jerry L. Ferrara

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African Lion – Vicious Lies

African Lion

Vicious Lies His orbs seem kindbut I’ll remindSuch feline eyestell vicious liesThose well-set jawsshould give one pauseHis lips conceala treach’rous dealBecause beneathare rending teethAnd when eyes flareteeth rip and tearSo bewarethat gentle stareFor if you erryou might not fare ~ Poem and African Lion capture, Vicious Lies © Jerry L. Ferrara, Zimbabwe, Africa

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Bald Eagle – Power On The Wing

Power On The Wing Power On The WingIt’s an eagle thingThey ply a lofty courseAnd sweep the sky with force ~ Poem and three Bald Eagle captures, Power On The Wing © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Hippopotamus – The River Horse

Hippopotamus

The River Horse Oft it’s called the ‘river horse’…misnomers do aboundThe Hippopotamus is, of course,sometimes in rivers foundBut naming it a horse in factis but a fallacyFor the hippos’ genetic trackis not equine, you seeIts closest kin does seem to hailfrom the briny seaAnd thus it is the mighty whaleits nearest lineage be ~ Poem and Hippopotamus capture, The River Horse © Jerry L. Ferrara from the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

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Gray Wolf – Stare Down

Gray Wolf

Stare Down I made the capture I call Stare Down one wintery juncture in time many years ago in the Yellowstone. The wolf’s piercing glance never fails to remind me of Aldo Leopold’s essay, Thinking Like A Mountain, and the missive conveyed in those words, which is well worth reading. ~ Anecdote and Gray Wolf capture, Stare Down © Jerry L. Ferrara

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