Painted Wolves A tricolored canine variously named Wild Dog, Cape Hunting Dog or Painted Wolf, Lycaon pictus, is a natural history wonder to behold. Here are a couple of initial images made in Zimbabwe, Africa. ~ Anecdote and Wild Dog/Cape Hunting Dog/Painted Wolf captures, Painted Wolves © Jerry L. Ferrara
We will be out of communication for a few weeks. If you would care to review some of my previous work, please go to my website archives. Be back soon. ~ Rocky Mountain Elk capture, The Contest © Jerry L. Ferrara
Off the California coast in 2019, a Surf Scoter (a species of sea duck) takes a drink from the briny sea. ~ Surf Scoter capture, Surf Scoter © Jerry L. Ferrara
Doppelganger The day had not yet dawned when I departed the lodge in Brazil’s swampy Pantanal. As the light arrived, I discovered a Yacare Caiman, mostly submerged and stealthily waiting to ambush an unsuspecting morning meal. My position relative to the crocodilian exposed its doppelganger. ~ Anecdote and Yacare Caiman capture, Doppelganger © Jerry L. Ferrara. Captured on Fujichrome 100 film, circa 1996.
A European Robin [Robin] caught in portrait in Scotland’s hinterland. ~ European Robin capture, Caught in Portrait © Jerry L. Ferrara
Giving Lip During the rut, a Mule Deer buck exercises a flehmen display [lip curl]. ~ Anecdote and Mule Deer capture, Giving Lip © Jerry L. Ferrara
Ridgway’s Rail From marsh this ‘feathered friend’ hailsIts monicker’s Ridgway’s RailNow a secretive bird sure it beSo most eyes on the planet won’t seeWhile it calls like a ‘clapper’One might think it’s a rapperStill sighting one’s no guarantee The extremely discreet Ridgway’s Rail is a marshland inhabitant that is on the endangered species list. This one was caught on film sneaking through the fenland in San Francisco Bay, CA. ~ Poem and Ridgway’s Rail capture, Ridgway’s Rail © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Sprite A male Yellow Warbler is caught in a pose while it forages in the canopy. The sprite is a native member of the wood warbler family and catching sight of one is visually electrifying. ~ Anecdote and Yellow Warbler capture, The Sprite © Jerry L. Ferrara
When Non-family Meet As a follow-up to my previous presentation [see Secrets Told], this is what often happens in a Black-tailed Prairie Dog colony when non-family meet. An eruption of complete chaos and antisocial behavior might eventually ensue. ~ Anecdote and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, When Non-family Meet © Jerry L. Ferrara
Secrets Told Caution played heavily in their mutual approachIt was a gambitBe you family or interloper?They joined incisorsThe confidential act answeredA sensory rush of recognitionThey belongGrooming cemented their bondThe coterie was at peaceSecrets told ~ Poem and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, Secrets Told © Jerry L. Ferrara