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
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
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
Ablutions On a warm day an American Robin enjoys its ablutions. ~ Anecdote and American Robin capture, Ablutions © Jerry L. Ferrara
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
Its Raucous Voice The resplendent riparian habitat was saliently dense and the hidden creek within its confines spoke softly in unending murmuring susurrations. In one alluring moment an ebullient entity spontaneously exploded onto the scene in the configuration of a Red-winged Blackbird. Though brief, the handsome avian’s appearance was impressive as its raucous voice tore the tranquil setting to shreds. ~ Anecdote and Red-winged Blackbird capture, Its Raucous Voice © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Bird That Laughs The ambient light was muted and fading fast. Its softness gently caressed everything the eye drank. In the dim-lit setting, a chunky creature scooted quickly on rapidly moving feet across the open terrain and then exploded into a powerful but short flight that brought it to rest at the top of an ancient fence post. Throwing back its handsome head, the California Quail called out “ha-HA-ha”…and the bird that laughs’ voice rolled across the Palouse. ~ Anecdote and California Quail capture, The Bird That Laughs © Jerry L. Ferrara
![Fish Hawk [Osprey]](https://ferrarawildlifephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/osp1-520x355.jpg)
The Shake Grasping its recently snared prey, a Fish Hawk [Osprey] rises aloft. In one brief moment, the drenched predator seemingly pauses in midair and employs a tactic to shed its feathers of water acquired during the dive. The shake sends a spray of fluid in all directions. ~ Anecdote and Fish Hawk [Osprey] capture, The Shake © Jerry L. Ferrara
Funny Face During the recent storms, a water-drenched Pileated Woodpecker peers in the direction of the camera … Funny Face ~ Anecdote and Pileated Woodpecker capture, Funny Face © Jerry L. Ferrara
Rushing The Western Grebe is a spring and summer visitor to our North Idaho area and one of its most recognized behaviors is the flamboyant courtship performance called “rushing.” The ritual often doesn’t last long but is none-the-less a thrill to view. The mated pair raise themselves up in tandem, arching their backs and cocking their heads atop their beautiful swan-like necks, and with their wings held back, they literally run across the surface of the water. Near the end of the rite the pair slow down and one or both dive below. Here are two Western Grebes I caught in full swing during their “rushing” maneuver. ~ Anecdote and Western Grebes capture, Rushing © Jerry L. Ferrara