Sea Otter – Breakfast
Breakfast In the serene waters off the California coast, a juvenile Sea Otter takes breakfast … a sea urchin. ~ Anecdote and Sea Otter capture, Breakfast © Jerry L. Ferrara
SHOT FROM THE FILE
Wilson’s Snipe – On A Snipe Hunt
On A Snipe Hunt The Wilson’s Snipe is a handsome native shorebird that belongs in the Sandpiper family. I caught this one resting on a fence post near a grassy field close by my home. I didn’t have to go on a “snipe hunt” to find the obliging creature, either. ~ Anecdote and Wilson’s Snipe capture, On A Snipe Hunt © Jerry L. Ferrara
River Otter – A Fleeting Look
A Fleeting Look Late light soft and rich early gloaming in the potholes An invisible hand disturbs the tranquil interface of air and water … a portent The foreshadow transforms to revelation all sound is hushed silence screams The otter pauses, a fleeting look then is gone A few years ago, near the close of day, I caught this River Otter in the serene potholes region of Washington State. It gave but one short-lived posture of recognition and then just melted away. ~ Poem, anecdote and River Otter capture, A Fleeting Look © Jerry L. Ferrara
Chestnut-backed Chickadee – The Energetic Bundle of Feathers
The Energetic Bundle of Feathers I caught this Chestnut-backed Chickadee during a gentle rainstorm in a brief moment while it was sitting still. The energetic bundle of feathers subsequently exploded away. ~ Anecdote and Chestnut-backed Chickadee capture, The Energetic Bundle of Feathers © Jerry L. Ferrara
Western Meadowlark – Following the Cloudburst
Following the Cloudburst In the dampness following the cloudburst, an announcement was in order. It was not out of any kind of celebration, though. The missive, in part, was meant to attract the fairer sex: “Look at me! I am propertied!” The melody also conveyed a threat for those who would usurp: “Stay out! This space is occupied!” ~ Anecdote and Western Meadowlark capture, Following the Cloudburst © Jerry L. Ferrara
Porcupine – Darkness of the Night
Darkness of the Night In the early 1990’s, I traveled to Nevada’s Walker River area to photograph Porcupine. Locating them in the daytime was easy as they peacefully slept high up in the surrounding cottonwoods. Knowing they are principally nocturnal, I returned in the evenings with flashlight, camera and flash. About a mile into the first evening’s hike, and along a field of clover, I heard a sound that was totally unfamiliar coming from the trees lining the nearby river. Not just unknown was the voice from the dark, but it also held a tenor that was totally terrifying. Off went the flashlight as I listened to the rise and fall of mysterious and hair-raising banshee wails, moans and shrieks in the darkness of the night. After a few moments of intolerable silence the ‘fiend’ showed itself … a ‘love-sick’ Porcupine [it was Porcupine breeding season] as it trundled across my path on its way to dine. Here, on another occasion, I caught a juvenile in the act of feasting. ~ Anecdote and Porcupine capture, Darkness of the Night © Jerry L. Ferrara
Nature Images – The View From Our Porch
The View From Our Porch The View From Our Porch is a collection of captures made over time. Each image came about as a result of practicing the art of photography to maintain an edge. The exercises were also conducted to enjoy and share the incredible beauty of Nature, from our porch. ~ Anecdote and Nature Images, The View From Our Porch © Jerry L. Ferrara
African Lions – A Typical Feline Gesture
A Typical Feline Gesture On a crisp morning in Kenya’s East Masai Mara, a pride of African Lions idly basked in the warming rays of a radiant sun. When finished playing with its mother’s wiggling tail tip, a rambunctious youngster proceeded toward the fore-end of the patient parent cat and gently rubbed its chin and malar glands on the lioness’ face … in a typical feline gesture. ~ Anecdote and African Lions capture, A Typical Feline Gesture © Jerry L. Ferrara
Polar Bear – Rub-a-dub
Rub-a-dub On the distant marge of Alaska’s interface with the frigid Arctic Ocean, Polar Bears gathered in anticipation of the forming ice pack. In many instances their coats were quite dirty and there was no snow on the ground , yet … not the best of circumstances and settings for photography. Then it snowed. Rub-a-dub, its coat wears mud When come the snows, the bruin knows To make it clean, a roll it seems Is all it takes, and fine it makes ~ Anecdote, poem and Polar Bear capture, Rub-a-dub © Jerry L. Ferrara
Ruffed Grouse – Winter Visitor
Winter Visitor This woodland species, the Ruffed Grouse, has been spending time in our forest. The winter visitor has also been a regular below the seed tray feeder and suet stations, dining on fare scattered by the Northern Flickers, Chickadees and Nuthatches. ~ Anecdote and Ruffed Grouse capture, Winter Visitor © Jerry L. Ferrara