Furtively, a Nile Crocodile rises to the water’s surface: A Nile Crocodile A Nile Crocodilewaits in covert styleThe purpose of its dressmight lead to some distressSo those who’re unawareshould practice to bewareFor in the serene statea deadly force awaits ~ Poem and Nile Crocodile capture, A Nile Crocodile © Jerry L. Ferrara
Like ghosts they drift across the ‘scapewithout apparent formBut from them telltale signs remainthe purpose to informAt latrines is where the choreof messaging is framedFor in the waste are missives sentassertions are proclaimed ~ Poem and Painted Wolf captures, Painted Wolves © Jerry L. Ferrara from Zimbabwe, Africa
Painted Wolves A tricolored canine variously named Wild Dog, Cape Hunting Dog or Painted Wolf, Lycaon pictus, is a natural history wonder to behold. Here are a couple of initial images made in Zimbabwe, Africa. ~ Anecdote and Wild Dog/Cape Hunting Dog/Painted Wolf captures, Painted Wolves © Jerry L. Ferrara
We will be out of communication for a few weeks. If you would care to review some of my previous work, please go to my website archives. Be back soon. ~ Rocky Mountain Elk capture, The Contest © Jerry L. Ferrara
Off the California coast in 2019, a Surf Scoter (a species of sea duck) takes a drink from the briny sea. ~ Surf Scoter capture, Surf Scoter © Jerry L. Ferrara
Doppelganger The day had not yet dawned when I departed the lodge in Brazil’s swampy Pantanal. As the light arrived, I discovered a Yacare Caiman, mostly submerged and stealthily waiting to ambush an unsuspecting morning meal. My position relative to the crocodilian exposed its doppelganger. ~ Anecdote and Yacare Caiman capture, Doppelganger © Jerry L. Ferrara. Captured on Fujichrome 100 film, circa 1996.
A European Robin [Robin] caught in portrait in Scotland’s hinterland. ~ European Robin capture, Caught in Portrait © Jerry L. Ferrara
Giving Lip During the rut, a Mule Deer buck exercises a flehmen display [lip curl]. ~ Anecdote and Mule Deer capture, Giving Lip © Jerry L. Ferrara
Ridgway’s Rail From marsh this ‘feathered friend’ hailsIts monicker’s Ridgway’s RailNow a secretive bird sure it beSo most eyes on the planet won’t seeWhile it calls like a ‘clapper’One might think it’s a rapperStill sighting one’s no guarantee The extremely discreet Ridgway’s Rail is a marshland inhabitant that is on the endangered species list. This one was caught on film sneaking through the fenland in San Francisco Bay, CA. ~ Poem and Ridgway’s Rail capture, Ridgway’s Rail © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Sprite A male Yellow Warbler is caught in a pose while it forages in the canopy. The sprite is a native member of the wood warbler family and catching sight of one is visually electrifying. ~ Anecdote and Yellow Warbler capture, The Sprite © Jerry L. Ferrara