Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Turkey Vulture – Nature’s Sanitation Corps

Nature’s Sanitation Corps The Turkey Vulture employs both keen eyesight and a well-developed sense of smell for locating its carrion meals. They are Nature’s sanitation corps. Along a southern Texas shore Death lies on the coastal floor Disease from rot won’t have a chance Nor may we call this happenstance For the vultures’ prowess lies Not just with its acute eyes Detects its meal when odors swell Through its superb sense of smell So what does all this really mean? The vulture keeps the landscape clean ~ Anecdote, poem and Turkey Vulture capture, Nature’s Sanitation Corps © Jerry L. Ferrara

To Loaf on a Post Not far from the Arctic Circle, an Arctic Tern takes a moment to loaf on a post. The Arctic Tern is considered to be one of Nature’s longest-distance travelers, migrating yearly between the Arctic and Antarctic regions. ~ Anecdote and Arctic Tern capture, To Loaf on a Post © Jerry L. Ferrara

Daybreak at Kootenai This image was made well over a decade ago at nearby Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Morning fog obscured the distant view revealing little of interest. As the dawning sun’s rays brushed the landscape, murk and mist magically dissipated. Definition and form took shape … Moose and marsh materialized. When all about there seems to be A lack of anything to see Wait and watch, it might take time The moment caught may be sublime ~ Anecdote, poem and Moose capture, Daybreak at Kootenai © Jerry L. Ferrara

Sunspot Activity Sunspot activity recorded 7/10/22 at approximately 10:00 am Pacific Time. Image made using a special solar filter covering the front lens element. Original image magnification 16X. Camera settings 1/4000 sec, f8.0, ISO 320. Cropped in processing. Please do not take offense, but this should NEVER be attempted without a special, dedicated SOLAR FILTER. NEVER point a camera/lens, telescope or binoculars at the sun without proper filtration. Many years ago I had an experience that was near fatal while observing the sun with a 10-inch telescope. Nearing the end of observing, I had covered the eyepiece with its “plastic” cover. I had a special solar filter properly attached on the front. Momentarily I was distracted … a bad place to be. Instead of first moving the scope away from pointing at the sun, I removed the solar filter from the front. Instantaneously the center of the plastic eyepiece cover vaporized. If my eye had been at the eyepiece it would have been cooked. I should have moved the scope out of alignment with the sun before removing the filter. I’ve never forgotten that near-misfortune. The incident did tell how fast damage may occur from viewing the sun without proper […]

Sea Parrot Carrying its catch firmly in its beak, this Atlantic Puffin [Sea Parrot] stalls its high-speed flight as it approaches its cliffside den. ~ Anecdote and Atlantic Puffin capture, Sea Parrot © Jerry L. Ferrara

Snowy Eyes that peer so straight ahead Seem to play inside my head Move I from side-to-side to see Those orbs do follow creepily Seems to be a strange illusion Certainly does cause confusion ~ Poem and Snowy Owl capture, Snowy © Jerry L. Ferrara

In the Blink of an Eye I find many transitory aspects of nature to be visually fascinating, especially those that are difficult to detect. Here, rainwater that had collected on the bottom edge of a moss- and lichen-adorned branch feels the tug of gravity. This is a single image made at a shutter speed of 120 frames per second. The action was seized in the blink of an eye. ~ Anecdote and rainwater capture, In the Blink of an Eye © Jerry L. Ferrara

Happy Fourth of July 2022! Independence A firm, fixed and steady eye is leveled by the Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus, as the stunning raptor thunders through the firmament. Power, strength, conviction and independence are its hallmark. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, Independence © Jerry L. Ferrara, from the book, Wild North Idaho: Season of the Eagle.

A Mighty Monarch Stepping into the briskly flowing river, I had my eyes focused on reaching a shallow sandbar. Once there I set up the camera, lens and tripod. All around in the flow, there was a bounty of spawning and dying salmon. The setting simply screamed at being an exceptional place for a hungry Brown Bear to dine. With time, the tall grass in the background magically began to move, yet the undulating gesticulations were not orchestrated by the wind. I waited. In a heartbeat the motion’s author became apparent … a mighty monarch joined me in the waterway. His sole intent was fixed on the banquet that lay before him. ~ Anecdote and Brown Bear capture, A Mighty Monarch © Jerry L. Ferrara

Waiting Patiently Our smallest falcon, this American Kestrel was caught waiting patiently for a mouse or grasshopper meal to arrive. ~ Anecdote and American Kestrel capture, Waiting Patiently © Jerry L. Ferrara

SHOT FROM THE FILE

Turkey Vulture – Nature’s Sanitation Corps

Arctic Tern – To Loaf on a Post

Moose – Daybreak at Kootenai

Sunspots – Sunspot Activity

Atlantic Puffin – Sea Parrot

Snowy Owl – Snowy

Rainwater – In the Blink of an Eye

Bald Eagle – Independence

Brown Bear – A Mighty Monarch

American Kestrel – Waiting Patiently