Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Sandhill Cranes – Fire in the Sky

Fire in the Sky It was an incredible, early-evening Nebraskan sky rich with fury as angry storm clouds occluded the earth’s blazing engine. While the sun unhurriedly progressed toward the horizon, the clouds lit up like a raging inferno and it appeared as though there was fire in the sky. At one critical moment, a flock of Sandhill Cranes graced their way through the tempestuous heavens. ~ Anecdote and Sandhill Cranes capture, Fire in the Sky © Jerry L. Ferrara

Stare Down The female Timber Wolf was so incredibly beautiful as she gracefully loped across the sweep parallel to my position. I stood stock still while clicking off image-after-image, but periodically paused just to watch. It wasn’t long before things changed rapidly and the “lupine being” turned directly into my camera and lens. It was breathtaking! In the blink of an eye she had approached to about 16 feet, the closest I could focus with the lens being used. To my chagrin she wouldn’t look directly at me, but constantly surveyed both her sides and toward her back. Without warning the wolf pointed her nose downward and peered in my direction. The stare down was brief, with neither threat nor aggression implied, simply recognition. She then turned and ambled up and over the snow-mantled ridge and melted into the wild realm, like the spirit she was. ~ Anecdote and Timber Wolf capture, Stare Down © Jerry L. Ferrara

Shedding Water During its power dive into the lake, the Osprey missed its target, the fish. Coming up empty, the hawk climbed skyward from the liquid surface. Suddenly it sharply shook its waterlogged body sending a substantial spray of moisture into the atmosphere. It was shedding water. ~ Anecdote and Osprey capture, Shedding Water © Jerry L. Ferrara

Its Prey Had Arrived The cat rested serenely on a steep hillside outcrop. Though its view was stunningly commanding, the Puma periodically closed its feline orbs and “cat-napped”. Then, without any provocation, it all at once rose up and steadily stared into the deep distance. Its prey had arrived … hell was about to break loose. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, Its Prey Had Arrived © Jerry L. Ferrara

Mighty Sprite The Northern Pygmy Owl is one of the smallest owl species on the North American continent being only about six inches in stature. In spite of its elfin size, it is capable of dispatching and carrying off prey that is much larger than itself. It is truly a mighty sprite of the woodlands. I may be small but don’t be fooled for in my tiny frame, I pack a punch compared to some that puts them quite to shame. I roam the woods and forest breaks while constantly in search, and from atop the highest stands I wait upon my perch. So when the mousy beasties dash across the open tract, I rocket off my waiting post and there commit the act. It’s swift and sure and if my prey is larger than am I, I have no doubt that I will take it up when I do fly. ~ Anecdote, poem and Northern Pygmy Owl capture, Mighty Sprite © Jerry L. Ferrara. Selle Valley, Bonner County, Idaho

Perfection’s Never Bought To make a score requires more than aptitude and skill. A master knows, results will show from practice and great will. To dance the sky as eagles ply and snare a fish on wing, demonstrates what practice makes: rehearse is everything. Yet when a feat becomes complete and done without a thought, a master’s guess is not to rest, perfection’s never bought. ~ Poem and Bald Eagle capture, Perfection’s Never Bought © Jerry L. Ferrara, from the book, Wild North Idaho: Season of the Eagle

All’s Well Furtively, the Black-tailed Prairie Dog exited its underground abode. Sitting soberly on the raised earthen mound surrounding its tunnel entrance, the spunky rodent surveyed the nearby landscape. Then, without foretelling, the prairie ground squirrel launched skyward and gave a “whee-oo” shout … “all’s well”. ~ Anecdote and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, All’s Well © Jerry L. Ferrara

Just As The Light Passed Away It was deep in the terminus of a clement day. The sun had retired from the haze-filled horizon but its faltering remains still dwelt in the landscape. We moved without hurry. Our hope was for a glimpse at “something” in the dwindling crepuscular light. That “something” almost always seemed to appear just as aspirations waned. As the path meandered this way and that, a stark visual presentation materialized against the monochromatic sky. Silently, a Great Horned Owl sat stoically in the barren branches of a tree…a perfect effigy of a predator in waiting. It was both a thrill and a fortunate moment, just as the light passed away. ~ Anecdote and Great Horned Owl image, Just As The Light Passed Away © Jerry L. Ferrara

Mr. Pugnacious Mr. Pugnacious, You look so audacious with a mask that’s bodacious you give such a scowl. All rodents beware so please do not dare for danger dwells there when he’s on the prowl. Mr. Pugnacious, you are so outrageous. ~ Poem and American Badger capture, Mr. Pugnacious © Jerry L. Ferrara

Ladies of the Evening Along the Missouri Breaks, a trio of Mule Deer doe leisurely strolled the rugged ridgeline at sundown. They were Ladies of the Evening set against a painted sky. ~ Anecdote and Mule Deer capture, Ladies of the Evening © Jerry L. Ferrara

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Sandhill Cranes – Fire in the Sky

Timber Wolf – Stare Down

Osprey – Shedding Water

Puma – Its Prey Had Arrived

Northern Pygmy Owl – Mighty Sprite

Bald Eagle – Perfection’s Never Bought

Black-tailed Prairie Dog – All’s Well

Great Horned Owl – Just As The Light Passed Away

American Badger – Mr. Pugnacious

Mule Deer – Ladies of the Evening