SHOT FROM THE FILE

California Condor – Topa Topa

California Condor

Topa Topa This California Condor image is a capture made of a famous character named Topa Topa, also known as just Topa.  Topa was born in the wild but was not doing well at the game of survival. As a result, he was brought into captivity and housed at the Los Angeles Zoo in 1967. He was the only California Condor in the captive state until 1982. It was about that time and shortly thereafter all California Condors were removed from the wild and became a part of a breeding program designed to restore and re-introduce a larger, viable, free-roaming condor population. Topa has been an important part of that program siring many of these magnificent birds that have been returned to soar free. Prior to the captive breeding program, I will never forget the day we saw a substantial portion of the then-current population. The year was 1971 and Vicki, myself and one of my college profs were exiting the Sespe Condor Sanctuary north of Los Angeles when 13 condors flew right over the top of us. It was truly a Pleistocene moment.  Awesome would be an understatement. I met Topa around 1980 at the Los Angeles Zoo while he […]

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Polar Bear – Power Play

Polar Bear

Power Play Scientists have drawn attention to the importance of play behavior in many species. The power of play is especially helpful in honing motor skills and developing techniques that may be beneficial in life. In a “rough and tumble” play fight session, a Polar Bear implements an impressive tactic with an opponent…a definite power play. As two behemoths spar away across the Arctic sand, their rough-and-tumble actions seem hard to understand. Grapple, thrash and wildly flail each other all around. Is this a deadly battle, or a moment just to clown? Suddenly one submits, it turns to run and flee.Not a passive gesture, though, as first it seems to be. Gaining edge above its foe not long the stance did stay, a ploy to make its final move, a mighty power play. ~ Anecdote, poem and Polar Bear capture, Power Play © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Red-naped Sapsucker – Ambrosia

Red-naped Sapsucker

Ambrosia The Red-naped Sapsucker is a member of the woodpecker clan and derives its peculiar name in part due to its penchant for tree sap. But the moniker seems a bit of a misnomer. Sapsuckers aren’t really capable of sucking much of anything. They have no apparatus for that strategy. Their method for procurement of the nourishing liquid first involves chipping holes in a tree’s bark [called sap wells] which allow the plant fluid to accumulate … sort of like collecting maple syrup. When the time arrives to harvest the ambrosia, the plucky bird doesn’t suck the ooze, but instead employs the tip of its tongue to lap up the fare. There’s an additional benefit to the construction of the sap wells. Their contents attract ants and other insects that sapsuckers seem to greatly savor, too! ~ Anecdote and Red-naped Sapsucker capture, Ambrosia © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Coyote – Eye On The Prize

Coyote

Eye On The Prize While the wily Coyote had its eye on the prize, the crafty creature approached the elk carcass with an elevated degree of uncertainty and caution. There was good reason to be furtive. Other “things” were dining on the same cuisine. They were menacing entities that would certainly pose a mortal threat. Once the fare was reached, and the coast was clear, the work began. Tugging, pulling and wrestling with the remains, the determined canid finally achieved success … and off it absconded to safer ground. ~ Anecdote and Coyote capture, Eye On The Prize © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Great Gray Owl – Ghostly Eyes

Great Gray Owl

Ghostly Eyes An empty postRemains no hostBut then a changeBrings something strangeA baneful thingOn silent wingIt bears demiseWith ghostly eyesIf looks could killThey surely will ~ Poem and Great Gray Owl capture, Ghostly Eyes © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Rufous Hummingbird [female with Bleeding Hearts] – A Tiny Dynamo

Rufous Hummingbird

A Tiny Dynamo As you might plainly seeI’m full of energyMy memory’s very longI retain where nectar’s strongI put on quite a showFor a tiny dynamoOh don’t discount my sizeI grant no compromiseSteer clear my feeding spotMy wrath can be quite hotFor a Rufous HummingbirdPugnacious is the word ~ Poem and Rufous Hummingbird capture, A Tiny Dynamo © Jerry L. Ferrara

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White-faced Scops Owl – Roosting

White-faced Scops Owl

Roosting In the wilderness of South Africa’s Kalahari Desert, a roosting White-faced Scops Owl peers tentatively from the brush. ~ Anecdote and White-faced Scops Owl capture, Roosting © Jerry L. Ferrara

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