Flamboyant From my backyard, a flamboyant male Pileated Woodpecker takes a quick peek at the camera. The roughly 19-inch-long avian wonder is a component of Canadian and U.S. deciduous-coniferous forests, especially where there are plenty of dead or dying trees … the plucky birds relish carpenter ants. ~ Anecdote and Pileated Woodpecker capture, Flamboyant © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Final Perspective The action was furious and moving like an out-of-control wildfire as the Bald Eagle bore down on the water’s surface. The thought of the final perspective [what this magnificent bird must have seen as it closed in on the salmon] flashed across my mind. After the catch, and when the intensity of the drama had passed, I grabbed a quick peek of the image in the camera monitor and mused at what seemed to me to be a double entendre, if not a bit of dark humor. Perhaps it was not so much what the Bald Eagle saw, but the final perspective certainly must reflect the last thing the fish saw! ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, The Final Perspective © Jerry L. Ferrara
Poised In Pursuit The eagle fishing activity had been very sporadic that morning. Plenty of fish were along the water’s edge….just few takers. Over the top of me, from behind, a rush of wind through feathers and wings repercussioned the air. Out of seemingly nowhere the eagle appeared, banked in my direction, and abruptly turned away. It was all I could do to get the fast fading bird framed. Its back and tail were all that could be seen….a remnant of what visually was. Suddenly the bird wheeled again into the lens, dropped its tail and legs, raised the leading edge of its wings and poised frozen in a beautiful stall. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, Poised In Pursuit © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Ocelot The following narrative describes what occurred one emerging evening in the mysterious recesses of Brazil’s vast and uncanny Pantanal … behold the Ocelot! Night’s stygian pall covers the enigmatic jungleStrange forlorn voices murmur from inky recessesNetherworld conversationsThenSilencePortending silenceA vague shape precipitates in the underbrushAmorphously it clings to shadowsAfter an eternity, the specter takes formIt climbs a limbThen, melts into the ebon night ~ Anecdote, poem and Ocelot capture, The Ocelot © Jerry L. Ferrara
To Gain A Better View High up in the Colorado Rockies, a rambunctious Mountain Goat kid climbs the back of a tolerant resting adult to gain a better view. Mountain Goat children are full of curiosity and energy. ~ Anecdote and Mountain Goat capture, To Gain A Better View © Jerry L. Ferrara
Icterid Voices Spring quickens in the vernal marsh Guttural, gurgling Icterid voices broadcast far and wide Challengers tear at the tranquility Scarlet epaulettes flare like glowing embers Imperceptible boundaries are drawn Dominions declared The propertied are set to arouse the feminine gender … soon to arrive ~ Poem and Red-winged Blackbird capture, Icterid Voices © Jerry L. Ferrara
Hey Bear! This big fella gave a quick pose while taking a brief moment away from fishing. Hey Bear! ~ Anecdote and Alaskan Brown Bear capture, Hey Bear! © Jerry L. Ferrara
Setting Up House A pair of Western Bluebirds are caught in the act of setting up house. ~ Anecdote and Western Bluebirds capture, Setting Up House © Jerry L. Ferrara
Moved A Spirit Silent An iconic component of Chile’s Patagonian plateau, this male Puma apprehensively approached the remains of a fallen Guanaco. Just prior to his appearance, two female cats were on the carcass. As he neared, they magically dissolved into the landscape. Across a windswept austral plain moved a spirit silent And with it came a frightful bane to bring all near compliant ~ Anecdote, poem and Puma capture, Moved A Spirit Silent © Jerry L. Ferrara
American Robin The American Robins have returned and have been rummaging around the yard. No worms yet, though. This one suddenly appeared on the suet cake, took a bite and flew off. ~ Anecdote and American Robin capture, American Robin © Jerry L. Ferrara