Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Wild Turkey – We’re Almost There

We’re Almost There It’s November 21st. We’re almost there. ~ Wild Turkey capture, We’re Almost There © Jerry L. Ferrara

Up On Snowy Ridge Up on Snowy Ridge, the wind is full of bite. Most creatures do not stir, so stay they out of sight. And well for them they do, amongst the stormy howl. For in the blustery murk, a presence there may prowl. It moves with stealth and purpose, but is it really there… a ghostly apparition, or just a false affair? Up on Snowy Ridge, the tempest meets demise. From the womb of Hell, a bold form does arise. Its aura full of skookum, though mankind finds great flaw. Yet wild things in wild places, live by sacred law. Up on Snowy Ridge, the untamed Gray Wolf waits. It stands for all that’s wild and free, will this remain its fate? …will wilderness abate? ~ Poem and Gray Wolf capture, Up On Snowy Ridge © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Blakiston’s Fish Owl Fish I the shoals of riparian streams deep in the Stygian night. My secret life does make me seem a creature kept from sight. The Ainu thought I brought good luck, we shared a life complete. But human numbers grew so much my kind’s now quite deplete. When I arrive to dine each night along a snowy shore, I search the dark without much light to catch my meal and more. Talons to the pool I go, my wings are held up high. It’s how I catch my supper, though, my pinions must stay dry. I eat the fish, I cannot wait, it’s back to work I go. To catch a meal that’s for my mate. She waits for me to show …and off to feed my waiting partner, silently I go. The Blakiston’s Fish Owl is highly endangered and one of the rarest birds on the planet. It also belongs with the Eagle Owl faction, the largest of owl species. It is found only in restricted areas of Russia, China and Japan. ~ Poem, anecdote and Blakiston’s Fish Owl image © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Arrow The archer pulls the taut string aft and with it slides the narrow shaft. Notched in place does arrow wait to be released and reach its fate. The energy that is kept pent does now propel the weapon sent. When so done, flies it for sure. The arrow’s target won’t endure. ~ Poem and Bald Eagle capture, The Arrow © Jerry L. Ferrara from the book, Wild North Idaho: Season of the Eagle

Hauntingly The placid surface of the lake’s face was kissed by the morning light but remained expressionless. Its demeanor spoke no emotion, nor held hint of mood. It just was. As time passed, an audible feature slowly joined the scene. At first it was but a hint, far off and barely perceptible. It was a lonely sound that spoke of forlorn. Then the author appeared, but only briefly before diving deep and vanishing. Such are the ways and the voice of the Common Loon. One of the most hauntingly beautiful sounds in Nature is committed by the Common Loon. The creature’s call reaches deep into the soul. ~ Essay and Common Loon capture, Hauntingly © Jerry L. Ferrara

That Deadly Stare A Halloween thought for the forest’s wee furry beasties. The fiend is out and loose tonight Its presence brings chaos and fright A piercing look, that deadly stare Those devil orbs pervade and glare The beast with horns is on the make So do beware for Heaven’s sake! ~ Poem and Great Horned Owl capture, That Deadly Stare © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Mob The Snowy Owl was simply attempting to rest after its arduous journey from the far north when it was discovered by a band of raucous Ravens. Remaining still, the stoic owl endured the rude treatment dished out by the discourteous corvids. The latter’s goal was to harass the owl away. Unable to coerce the predator to leave, the mob soon gave up its folly. The snowy creature’s strategy worked. ~ Anecdote and Snowy Owl and Ravens capture, The Mob © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Eventide The Alaskan Brown Bear traipsed the remote and lonely lakeside. Typical of bruin ambulation, the creature’s gait was lumbering while its attention seemed without regard … if not downright introspective. The setting was fitting, too, as the light sauntered leisurely toward the eventide. ~ Anecdote and Brown Bear capture, The Eventide © Jerry L. Ferrara

Those Icy Stairs The polar glacial cold Holds a creature in its folds It’s there a spectral bear Footslogs those icy stairs The bruin seems a ghost The chill a perfect host ~ Poem and Polar Bear capture, Those Icy Stairs © Jerry L. Ferrara, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

SHOT FROM THE FILE

Wild Turkey – We’re Almost There

Gray Wolf – Up On Snowy Ridge

Blakiston’s Fish Owl – The Blakiston’s Fish Owl

Bald Eagle – The Arrow

Common Loon – Hauntingly

Great Horned Owl – That Deadly Stare

Snowy Owl and Ravens – The Mob

Brown Bear – The Eventide

Polar Bear – Those Icy Stairs

Norway Scenic – 79° 15′ 26.34″ N x 22° 51′ 44.62″ E