North Idaho Archives - Page 10 of 13 - Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Western Flycatcher – The Return

The Return The sprightly little Western Flycatcher is a spirited species that returns to our property to breed each spring. There is another aspect to this flycatcher ‘returning’, though. It has been placed back [returned] to its original single-species status [Western Flycatcher] after being split into two species [in 1989]: the Cordilleran and the Pacific-slope Flycatchers. Science at work. ~ Anecdote and Western Flycatcher capture, The Return © Jerry L. Ferrara

Electric Appearance This Steller’s Jay strikes a stunning profile with its flared crown and raucous attitude. We do not see them very often, but when they do show up, their appearance is electric. ~ Anecdote and Steller’s Jay capture, Electric Appearance © Jerry L. Ferrara

A Feathered Despot Though my stature be quite slight, strength makes me a mighty sprite. All the world must realize, power is not judged by size. I ambush and I use surprise, so from this scheme success derives. Merciless when I predate, victims find oft it’s too late. In the open at my job, that’s why I am sometimes mobbed. I take the last in casual stride, for not all aggravants will hide. So, you beware small birds in strife, this feathered despot’s not so nice. Beasties you have much to fear, when this pygmy owl draws near. ~ Poem and Northern Pygmy Owl image, A Feathered Despot © Jerry L. Ferrara

Caught Red-handed I discovered this little moocher [an American Red Squirrel and a native species of tree squirrel] pilfering cherries from one of our trees. It was caught red-handed. ~ Anecdote and American Red Squirrel capture, Caught Red-handed © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Specter Waits Daybreak. The setting is surreal. The woods are hushed. Death is in the air. It arrives on feathered wings. A soundless entry. The specter waits. Ambush is in the offing. ~ Poem and Great Gray Owl capture, The Specter Waits © Jerry L. Ferrara

Posing Perfectly There’s a seemingly never-ending show occurring at our home. It’s in full view from our porch. Though appearing perpetual, there are moments of intermission in the performance … yet it continues both day and night. The actors and actresses are of mixed backgrounds, but all deliver their roles quite artfully. ~ Anecdote and White-tailed Deer doe capture, Posing Perfectly © Jerry L. Ferrara

Little Devil The cherries are ripening and we’re getting lots of help with the harvest. This “little devil” was well sated! ~ Anecdote and Raccoon capture, Little Devil © Jerry L. Ferrara

Flamboyant From my backyard, a flamboyant male Pileated Woodpecker takes a quick peek at the camera. The roughly 19-inch-long avian wonder is a component of Canadian and U.S. deciduous-coniferous forests, especially where there are plenty of dead or dying trees … the plucky birds relish carpenter ants. ~ Anecdote and Pileated Woodpecker capture, Flamboyant © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Final Perspective The action was furious and moving like an out-of-control wildfire as the Bald Eagle bore down on the water’s surface. The thought of the final perspective [what this magnificent bird must have seen as it closed in on the salmon] flashed across my mind. After the catch, and when the intensity of the drama had passed, I grabbed a quick peek of the image in the camera monitor and mused at what seemed to me to be a double entendre, if not a bit of dark humor. Perhaps it was not so much what the Bald Eagle saw, but the final perspective certainly must reflect the last thing the fish saw! ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, The Final Perspective © Jerry L. Ferrara

Poised In Pursuit The eagle fishing activity had been very sporadic that morning. Plenty of fish were along the water’s edge….just few takers. Over the top of me, from behind, a rush of wind through feathers and wings repercussioned the air. Out of seemingly nowhere the eagle appeared, banked in my direction, and abruptly turned away. It was all I could do to get the fast fading bird framed. Its back and tail were all that could be seen….a remnant of what visually was. Suddenly the bird wheeled again into the lens, dropped its tail and legs, raised the leading edge of its wings and poised frozen in a beautiful stall. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, Poised In Pursuit © Jerry L. Ferrara

North Idaho

Western Flycatcher – The Return

Steller’s Jay – Electric Appearance

Northern Pygmy Owl – A Feathered Despot

American Red Squirrel – Caught Red-handed

Great Gray Owl – The Specter Waits

White-tailed Deer – Posing Perfectly

Raccoon – Little Devil

Pileated Woodpecker – Flamboyant

Bald Eagle – The Final Perspective

Bald Eagle – Poised In Pursuit

Ferrara Wildlife Photography