Western Tanager – A Palette of Color
A Palette of Color A palette of color gives voice. ~ Anecdote and Western Tanager capture, A Palette of Color © Jerry L. Ferrara
North Idaho
Red-naped Sapsucker – Ambrosia
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
White-throated Sparrow – From The Brushy Cover
From The Brushy Cover From the brushy cover a White-throated Sparrow pauses briefly and inspects its surroundings. ~ Anecdote and White-throated Sparrow capture, From The Brushy Cover © Jerry L. Ferrara
Great Gray Owl – Ghostly Eyes
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
Black Bear – It’s True!
It’s True! It’s true! It does happen in the woods! ~ Anecdote and Black Bear capture, It’s True! © Jerry L. Ferrara
Rufous Hummingbird [female with Bleeding Hearts] – A Tiny Dynamo
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
Raccoon – What’s Behind The Mask?
What’s Behind The Mask? What’s behind the mask? It’s funny you should ask Does it help your sight in the dark of night? Or hide what some could see–a face that mischief be? So pales the cryptic ruse Those eyes do not excuse A case of devilment The mask does complement ~ Poem and Raccoon capture, What’s Behind The Mask? © Jerry L. Ferrara
Osprey – Shedding Water
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
American Robin – Ablutions
Ablutions On a warm day an American Robin enjoys its ablutions. ~ Anecdote and American Robin capture, Ablutions © Jerry L. Ferrara
Red-necked Grebe – The Double Goer
The Double Goer Circumstances turned out to be nearly perfect one very early morning within the haunts of the diving bird species known as the Red-necked Grebe. This one suddenly turned in its watery path and the incidence of light unexpectedly created a doppelganger effect … The Double Goer. ~ Anecdote and Red-necked Grebe capture, The Double Goer © Jerry L. Ferrara