Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Ridgway’s Rail – Ridgway’s Rail

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

When Non-family Meet As a follow-up to my previous presentation [see Secrets Told], this is what often happens in a Black-tailed Prairie Dog colony when non-family meet. An eruption of complete chaos and antisocial behavior might eventually ensue. ~ Anecdote and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, When Non-family Meet © Jerry L. Ferrara

Secrets Told Caution played heavily in their mutual approachIt was a gambitBe you family or interloper?They joined incisorsThe confidential act answeredA sensory rush of recognitionThey belongGrooming cemented their bondThe coterie was at peaceSecrets told ~ Poem and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, Secrets Told © Jerry L. Ferrara

One Way For this Roadrunner the one way sign became a convenient viewpoint. I had just gathered my equipment and was striking out into California’s Anza Borrego Desert State Park when suddenly this Roadrunner came skirting around a creosote bush. Its bent-forward, arrow-like gait moved the creature smoothly through the sandy scape. Then it took wing and flew to the top of the sign. At first its body pointed toward the right. If only it would turn to the left … and then it did. Click! The image was made on Kodachrome 64 film many years ago. ~ Anecdote and Roadrunner capture, One Way © Jerry L. Ferrara

Northern Elephant Seal – Where Elephants Roam

The Pounce Early one morning I was watching and training my camera and lens on a Coyote hunting an open field. Here, the camera caught the subject in midair as the crafty canine leaped toward its prey. ~ Anecdote and Coyote capture, The Pounce © Jerry L. Ferrara

Taking a Plunge Diving off an iceberg on its way to catch a meal, an Adélie Penguin is caught midair taking a plunge. The diminutive dynamo is Antarctica’s ‘Lilliputian’ species. ~ Anecdote and Adélie Penguin capture, Taking a Plunge © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Puckish Pair On the coast of the scenic Scottish isles, a pair of Eurasian Otters take time to play while staging on a bed of seaweed. Following a round of spirited wrestling, the puckish pair vanished into the sea. ~ Anecdote and Eurasian Otter capture, The Puckish Pair © Jerry L. Ferrara

California Condor – Endangered

Endangered One of our largest feathered fliers, the California Condor, is a critically endangered species. ~ California Condor captures, Endangered © Jerry L. Ferrara

SHOT FROM THE FILE

Ridgway’s Rail – Ridgway’s Rail

Yellow Warbler – The Sprite

Black-tailed Prairie Dog – When Non-family Meet

Black-tailed Prairie Dog – Secrets Told

Roadrunner – One Way

Northern Elephant Seal – Where Elephants Roam

Coyote – The Pounce

Adélie Penguin – Taking a Plunge

Eurasian Otter – The Puckish Pair

California Condor – Endangered