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
A Fleeting Respite The most recent Guanaco carcass had been consumed. So, the Puma family was on the move while mother Mountain Lion was in search of sustenance for her growing youngsters. A fleeting respite was taken advantage of as she scanned the landscape for their next meal. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, A Fleeting Respite © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Flying Leap The female Puma was on a quest to locate an errant cub. When she arrived at a low wet spot in her path, she opted against entering the boggy region. Instead, the agile cat made a flying leap over the mire to continue her course. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, A Flying Leap © Jerry L. Ferrara
On A Mission The immediate surroundings near the Guanaco carcass was suddenly devoid of any other creature and the air became deathly stagnant. The reason for the vacant scene appeared in the form of a massively-built male Puma as he bolted boldly toward the ragged remains. His presence was commanding and he was on a mission. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, On A Mission © Jerry L. Ferrara
And The Game Was On Through the rock-riddled Patagonian scrubland, the Puma cub moved with an air of attitude. At the same time, he was mindful of his sister’s presence somewhere close by. She most likely was plotting another surprise ambush. It was actually a favorite pastime they both relished. All of a sudden a blur of fur exploded from behind a nearby boulder. The assertive sibling mischievously assailed her brother’s tail … and the game was on. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, And The Game Was On © Jerry L. Ferrara
An Apex Predator We’re back home! Whew! What an adventure! My last presentation was a scenic shot from Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. Today’s image is THE reason for the excursion … the Puma, also known as Mountain Lion or Cougar. She is gustily feasting on a Guanaco carcass and her eyes reflect the mood of an apex predator. What she was not happy about was another apex predator, a large male lion, that was coming to the kill. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, An Apex Predator © Jerry L. Ferrara