Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Brown Creeper – The Creeper’s Way

The Creeper’s Way Lives it in the forest green Oft there does it go unseen Cryptic be its outer wear So it blends in to nowhere Curved beak to probe for insect prey A tail that’s long and helps it stay Up or down along a tree It mocks the force of gravity Inch by inch it creeps along While it gives its high-pitched song Odd behavior some would say Yet it’s but the Creeper’s way The Brown Creeper is an unobtrusive, infrequently observed North American songbird. I caught this one in our yard as it investigated the tree trunk for spiders and insects. Notice how its feather colors match the tree’s surface. ~ Poem, anecdote and Brown Creeper capture, The Creeper’s Way © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Message Post The cat’s lithe form moved slowly, yet purposefully, over the sweeping steppe. At one point the Puma paused its progress. Gracefully the feline raised up and firmly grabbed with its massive paws the upper part of an ancient fence post. This was followed by leisurely rubbing its cheeks, chin and corners of its mouth on the wood. When finished the Cougar resumed its passage. It left its scent at the message post. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, The Message Post © Jerry L. Ferrara

It was amazing to witness the Andean Condors’ aerial ballets. Sometimes they used the wind under their wings to remain stationary in midair. Sometimes they sped along at a blisteringly brisk pace. In the current presentation, I purposely created a sense of the latter … a flight of fancy dream. A Flight of Fancy Dream Across the Steppe I fly From colossal cliffs so high The journey oft begins Enhanced by lofty winds My trip might actually seem A flight of fancy dream ~ Anecdote, poem and Andean Condor capture, A Flight of Fancy Dream © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Ghost Cat What the Puma saw, was completely unaware Unwavering and focused, was that deadly feline stare How many of unknowing, have been subjects of that glare? The answer lies in mystery, was the ghost cat really there? ~ Poem and Puma capture, The Ghost Cat © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Faux Foe A few pair of American Goldfinch have been regularly showing up at our bird feeding station this spring. In the image, this breeding male goldfinch had just landed on the filagree over the seed tray. The vibrant-colored finch appears to be looking intently, if not aggressively, at the hummingbird figure as if it were an opponent, all the while grasping its rival’s beak. The finch is actually looking past “the faux foe” for an opportunity to descend on the food below. ~ Anecdote and American Goldfinch capture, The Faux Foe © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Watcher Prey beware: I walk on padded paws so hushed And wait in silence to ambush Concealed I stay so patiently Knowing they will come to me If they sense that I am here They would never dare come near Anticipate, and hold my breath For soon arrives the stench of Death ~ Poem and Puma capture, The Watcher © Jerry L. Ferrara

A Woolly Wonder Something dark blocked the burrow’s entrance. As the Hairy Armadillo slowly came into view, it paused briefly while showing off a raised, long-nailed fore-paw. The posture seemed an appropriate visual expression for this well-equipped fossorial mammal, while its hirsute garb bore witness to its name. It was a woolly wonder. ~ Anecdote and Hairy Armadillo capture, A Woolly Wonder © Jerry L. Ferrara

An Exceptionally Efficient Killing Machine The Puma is an exceptionally efficient killing machine. In this case, death came to the fox via strangulation and the cat was caught in the act of skinning its meal. It was deeply moving to witness this biological event. It was also a first documented predation by the local Puma population on the Patagonian Fox. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, An Exceptionally Efficient Killing Machine © Jerry L. Ferrara

Patagón What’s in a name? In the case of the South American region known as Patagonia, there seems to be quite a bit. The origin of the word Patagonia, though, is cloaked in controversy. One theory relates it was coined from “patagónes”, an appellation supposedly bestowed by European explorers on a mysterious race of indigenous giants. Further expansions of the legend purport the Patagónes had very large feet. Whether or not there’s validity to this narrative, it does make for interesting story-telling. Fast forward. Today’s image portrays a Puma cub lazily lolling on its back. This cub, if he reaches the age of one year, is destined to be name Patagón. Check out that front paw. Like all of its kind, the feet are impressively large and he’s bound to be a big cat, a giant. So Patagón just might be an appropriate moniker. It appears the enigmatic Patagónes may still roam the untamed Patagonian steppe, just in a different format … and that’s what’s in a name. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, Patagón © Jerry L. Ferrara

Spitting Image Here’s a brief break from showing my Puma photos. This is a Southern or Austral Pygmy Owl. It was captured in a woodland area in Torres del Paine National Park. I was shocked when finally locating the wee beast in the camera. It instantly reminded me of our local Northern Pygmy Owl. They are the “spitting image” of each other … or pretty close. ~ Anecdote and Southern [Austral] Pygmy Owl capture, Spitting Image © Jerry L. Ferrara

SHOT FROM THE FILE

Brown Creeper – The Creeper’s Way

Puma – The Message Post

Andean Condor – A Flight of Fancy Dream

Puma – The Ghost Cat

American Goldfinch – The Faux Foe

Puma – The Watcher

Hairy Armadillo – A Woolly Wonder

Puma – An Exceptionally Efficient Killing Machine

Puma – Patagón

Southern [Austral] Pygmy Owl – Spitting Image