Puma – A Fixed Gaze
A Fixed Gaze In the wilds of Chile, a Puma levels a fixed gaze while pausing over its prey … a hapless Guanaco. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, A Fixed Gaze © Jerry L. Ferrara
SHOT FROM THE FILE
Rockhopper Penguin – Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin On New Island in the West Falklands, a Rockhopper Penguin strikes a pose. ~ Anecdote and Rockhopper Penguin capture, Rockhopper Penguin © Jerry L. Ferrara
Northern Pygmy Owl – A Feathered Despot
A Feathered Despot Though my stature be quite slight, strength makes me a mighty sprite. All the world must realize, power is not judged by size. I ambush and I use surprise, so from this scheme success derives. Merciless when I predate, victims find oft it’s too late. In the open at my job, that’s why I am sometimes mobbed. I take the last in casual stride, for not all aggravants will hide. So, you beware small birds in strife, this feathered despot’s not so nice. Beasties you have much to fear, when this pygmy owl draws near. ~ Poem and Northern Pygmy Owl image, A Feathered Despot © Jerry L. Ferrara
Rocky Mountain Elk – There Comes A Call
There Comes A Call Listen to fall, there comes a call The voice does tell of coming hell Where titans clash and landscapes thrash The winner’s fate, the claim to mate ~ Poem and Rocky Mountain Elk capture, There Comes A Call © Jerry L. Ferrara
Rocky Mountain Elk – Getting Down To Business
Getting Down To Business A pair of bull Rocky Mountain Elk square off during the rut. They were getting down to business. ~ Anecdote and Rocky Mountain Elk capture, Getting Down To Business © Jerry L. Ferrara
American Red Squirrel – Caught Red-handed
Caught Red-handed I discovered this little moocher [an American Red Squirrel and a native species of tree squirrel] pilfering cherries from one of our trees. It was caught red-handed. ~ Anecdote and American Red Squirrel capture, Caught Red-handed © Jerry L. Ferrara
Puma – The Stalk
The Stalk The cat had been sitting quietly for hours. Sometimes it closed its piercing yellow orbs and slept the sleep of felines … appearing to doze off but remaining perfectly conscious of its immediate surroundings. When the Guanaco herd unknowingly ambled up the hillside in front of the waiting Puma, the tawny creature came alive employing the deathly technique of the stalk. And so the ambush began. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, The Stalk © Jerry L. Ferrara
Arctic Fox – A Snow-White Drape
A Snow-White Drape a milky ‘scape a snow-white drape a cunning ruse effect Reynard moves swift through icy drifts so little to detect … its prey just won’t suspect ~ Poem and Arctic Fox capture, A Snow-White Drape © Jerry L. Ferrara
Great Gray Owl – The Specter Waits
The Specter Waits Daybreak. The setting is surreal. The woods are hushed. Death is in the air. It arrives on feathered wings. A soundless entry. The specter waits. Ambush is in the offing. ~ Poem and Great Gray Owl capture, The Specter Waits © Jerry L. Ferrara
House Finch – Circles In Life
Circles In Life There truly are circles in life. A point-in-case presented itself the other day from our front porch. This image of a male House Finch reincarnates numerous childhood memories. For instance, there were often large throngs of this striking songbird species that regularly showed up at our family’s vineyard when the fruit was ripening. I remember many morning awakenings accompanied by the tune of the finches’ ebullient song. The end of each bubbly rendition was closed by a long, slurred note. Today, whenever I hear that melody and protracted finishing inflection, I’m keenly reminded of those priceless earlier moments. Even though it’s decades later and many miles away, the memories circle back ~ Anecdote and House Finch capture, Circles In Life © Jerry L. Ferrara