SHOT FROM THE FILE

Sandhill Cranes – Fire in the Sky

Sandhill Cranes

Fire in the Sky It was an incredible, early-evening Nebraskan sky rich with fury as angry storm clouds occluded the earth’s blazing engine. While the sun unhurriedly progressed toward the horizon, the clouds lit up like a raging inferno and it appeared as though there was fire in the sky. At one critical moment, a flock of Sandhill Cranes graced their way through the tempestuous heavens. ~ Anecdote and Sandhill Cranes capture, Fire in the Sky © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Snowy Owl – When The Snow Flies

Snowy Owl

When The Snow Flies Pan, who brings much chaos when quiet shapes flow ‘cross the land … Fly by across the sky Feathers flail in noiseless gale Wings fling but do not sing Eyes pry while they descry … when the snow flies Like a wraith of vapor, a Snowy Owl strikes a stunning figure in the unadorned winter sky. ~ Poem, anecdote and Snowy Owl capture, When The Snow Flies © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Tree Swallow – Feather Maintenance

Tree Swallow

Feather Maintenance Preening is an important aspect of feather maintenance. In the capture, a male Tree Swallow [one of our native bird species] runs a flight feather through its beak during the act of feather grooming. By doing so, the swallow is more than likely anointing the plume with oil from its uropygial gland [oil gland] or it may be simply re-conforming the feather’s structure … or both. ~ Anecdote and Tree Swallow capture, Feather Maintenance © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Cedar Waxwing – Harvest

Cedar Waxwing

Harvest While photographing in North Idaho’s scenic Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, I encountered a flock of Cedar Waxwings along Myrtle Creek. Their distinctive trilling calls from the hedge rows were what first caught my attention and alerted me to their presence. Looking closer revealed they were harvesting the ripening choke cherries. In this capture, a waxwing had just gathered a fruit before gobbling it down.  ~ Anecdote and Cedar Waxwing capture, Harvest © Jerry L. Ferrara 

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Burrowing Owl – My Eye’s On Hoo? On Individualism

Burrowing Owl

My Eye’s On Hoo? On Individualism The Burrowing Owlet at center of the ménage strikes a different posture than its siblings. Is someone marching to a different beat? The image I have given title My Eye’s On Hoo? always conjures thoughts within me of the unorthodox, nonconformist and free-thinking individual. The little owl in the middle is symbolic of just that … its persona is independent. And so the metaphor inspires the verse On Individualism. On Individualism Sunder from the witless crowd or forever be absorbed. There may be strength in numbers, but Freedom is ignored. Peer pressure from collective minds dictate every day. And so the individual must go a separate way. ~ Burrowing Owl capture, My Eye’s On Hoo?, and verse, On Individualism, © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Ural Owl – The Sleepy Owl

Ural Owl

The Sleepy Owl In the silent forest deep a Ural Owl does gently sleep. And just before the waking dawn, the sleepy owl does give a yawn. Wake up! Wake up! O sleepy bird, you’re missing what the others heard. For a raven’s voice does speak of furry creatures by the creek. So if you’re quick to take the chance and let your feathers dance the dance toward the high-pitched squeaks and squeals, there may be a mousy meal. Wait too long and you will see the rodent kind will quickly flee. Perhaps this fact you do but know, so back to sleep you quickly go. ~ Ural Owl, from a remote location in a deciduous forest on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Poem and Ural Owl capture, The Sleepy Owl © Jerry L. Ferrara 

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Sandhill Cranes – A Company of Cranes

Sandhill Cranes

A Company of Cranes I had arrived early in the chilly pre-dawn morning to try to capture Sandhill Cranes blasting off from one of their evening roost sites on the Platte River. No such luck was afforded, for the stately birds flew out before sunlight supported my goal. Standing in the dim light I just watched in awe as the beauty of this ancient process played out … deeply appreciative to be able to witness such a stunning behavior. Suddenly I realized a company of cranes were on a flight pattern nearing an almost full moon.   ~ Anecdote and Sandhill Cranes capture, A Company of Cranes © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Elephant Seal – Feliz Año Nuevo

Feliz Año Nuevo

Feliz Año Nuevo I meant to post this yesterday, but ran out of time. I recorded this bull Elephant Seal many years ago at Año Nuevo State Park. It was made on Kodachrome 64 film. The “big fella” had been trumpeting. He then raised up, gave one look and plopped back down into slumber. Feliz Año Nuevo. ~ Anecdote and Elephant Seal capture, Feliz Año Nuevo © Jerry L. Ferrara

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