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
79° 15′ 26.34″ N x 22° 51′ 44.62″ E Recorded 8:42:29 PM [local time], 9/7/22, © Jerry L. Ferrara
On The Fly Catching this Atlantic Puffin on the fly as it hurtled through the Svalbard air space was both challenging and fun. The foot-long, fast-moving feathered fury is capable of flight speeds near 50mph as it zips to and from its shadowy cliffside roost and the salty sea. ~ Anecdote and Atlantic Puffin capture, On The Fly © Jerry L. Ferrara
This is part two, a continuation from the previous story, Assault. The Misappropriated Meal From the towering cliffside area it was hunting, the Arctic Fox paused purposefully and gazed toward the sea. Hearing the raucous clamor developing from that direction, the canny canid bolted toward the sounds of death. Within seconds it reached the spot where the Glaucous Gull had just delivered its coup de grâce to the Black-legged Kittiwake. The gull, spying the approaching fox, quickly moved its dispatched victim back into the water in an attempt to foil the fox’s intentions. It was to no avail, though, for the fox continued its pursuit and entered the icy water. Losing its nerve, the gull flew off giving the swimming fox the misappropriated meal. ~ Anecdote and Arctic Fox and Black-legged Kittiwake capture, The Misappropriated Meal © Jerry L. Ferrara. Svalbard, Norway
This is a two-part story, the first installment appearing today: Assault We were cruising in the zodiac when a large Glaucous Gull attacked a much smaller juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake overhead in midair. The action came without warning and was as fast as it was frenzied making photographic acquisition of the action, framing and tracking it challenging, especially from the moving boat. Mortally injured, the Kittiwake plummeted to the water’s surface where the Glaucous Gull followed in vicious pursuit seizing its prey and dragging it to shore. Once there, the predator continued its assault until the murder was consummated. What happened next was as stunning as what had just occurred. STAY TUNED for part two, The Misappropriated Meal. ~ Anecdote and Glaucous Gull and Black-legged Kittiwake capture, Assault © Jerry L. Ferrara, Svalbard, Norway