North Idaho

Comet C2020F3 Neowise – Far Traveler

Comet C2020F3 Neopwise

From July, 2020: Far Traveler Far Traveler, where have you been? Across the void and back again? Your journey’s steeped so deep in time Appearance, you do make sublime Go hurtle quick ’round bright orb Eccentric path that brought you toward While solar force extracts a toll And leaves your icy form less wholeSo if you survive through this plight Back to the “cloud” will be your flight Years before return might be Seven thousand, possiblyAnd if your dust and ice return That coma’s nucleus will burn Referred you are as space debris Yet your past does seem a key From whence the solar system came Shaped by the hand of Holy Name. ~ Poem and Comet C2020F3 Neowise capture, Far Traveler © Jerry L. Ferrara. 

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White-tailed Deer – The Monarch’s Crown

White-tailed Deer

The Monarch’s Crown It may seem strange as day lengths changenot subtle the effectFor as light wanes it’s very plainresults are quite directFirst it begins with just the skina velvet dressing gownRub and scrape that mantled drapereveals the monarch’s crown ~ Poem and White-tailed Deer capture, The Monarch’s Crown © 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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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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Raccoon – What’s Behind The Mask?

Raccoon

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 

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Osprey – Shedding Water

Osprey

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

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