All Together Forty-three years ago this coming Spring, I made this capture of a Burrowing Owl family on Kodachrome 64 film. While one of the adults [far left] took a much-deserved rest, the youngsters paused briefly in a rare moment of catching them all together. ~ Anecdote and Burrowing Owl family capture, All Together © Jerry L. Ferrara
Feathers Employed to keep both warm and dry Bird feathers help some ply the sky A showy garb attracts a mate A drab one shapes a ‘camo’ state Winnow in the heavens above While feathers sing a song of love Important seems to keep them clean So diligent becomes the preen ~ Poem and White Pelican capture, Feathers © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Radiator of Sorts A Toco Toucan pauses briefly on a tree limb in Brazil’s Pantanal. While its bill is a prominent, “showy” item, research indicates the organ may also help regulate the bird’s body temperature acting as a radiator of sorts. ~ Toco Toucan capture, A Radiator of Sorts © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Steely Stare Wary may the Red Fox be Uncertain what its gaze does see So leery while it takes a stance Deducing whether it should chance Investigate or pass on by A measured look from chary eyes Wild and wary it moves with care When caught it gives a steely stare ~ Poem and Red Fox capture, A Steely Stare © Jerry L. Ferrara
Look Who Showed Up Look who showed up this morning [12-25-22]. Great Christmas gift. Merry Christmas!! ~ Anecdote and Moose capture, Look Who Showed Up © Jerry L. Ferrara
Merry Christmas Wishing All a Merry and Blessed Christmas. ~ Red Fox capture © Jerry L. Ferrara
Tranquility Tranquility governed the landscape as the Alaskan Brown Bear lumbered along the placid interface of lake and land. A very gentle breeze caused small waves to gently lick the shore. The clouds overhead and in the background were halcyon to the eye while the distant brightening sky, from a sun not quite exposed, boldly announced the coming day. ~ Anecdote and Alaskan Brown Bear capture, Tranquility © Jerry L. Ferrara
Sandhill Cranes and Moon ~ Capture, Sandhill Cranes and Moon, Nebraska © Jerry L. Ferrara
Mr. Mischief Mr. Mischief, where have you been? Have your deeds been full of sin? Give you a look that says, “Not me!” Those beady eyes belie … “We’ll see!” Deep within your genetic soul Lies a phenotype that’s droll You may think that mask you wear Covers all the wrong you dare Fooled not we by your winsome pose For Mr. Mischief … you’ve been exposed. ~ Poem and Raccoon capture, Mr. Mischief © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Tiger’s Eye An eye that burns and steals the breath So lights the way to certain death It brings a fire to the night A cause to tremble deep in fright The Tiger’s eye is such a blaze Made by the hand of Holy Praise. ~ Poem and Bengal Tiger capture, The Tiger’s Eye © Jerry L. Ferrara. Kanha, India