Whiskery An Atlantic Walrus gives an icy stare into the camera while tiny droplets of moisture drip from the tips of its whiskery vibrissae. The sensitive hirsute facial features serve the walrus in detecting disturbances in the water as well as locating its prey. ~ Anecdote and Atlantic Walrus capture, Whiskery © Jerry L. Ferrara. 79° 43’ 53.87” N x 11° 0’ 4.08” E Norway
A Dapper Pose Resting on a small platform of floating ice in Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago, a Bearded Seal strikes a dapper pose showing off its lavish vibrissae. ~ Anecdote and Bearded Seal capture, A Dapper Pose © Jerry L. Ferrara
In the Realm of Solitude In the frigid and foreboding desolation far above the Arctic Circle a formidable predator, wearing the mantle of winter, roams the barren ice-clad ‘scape. The mighty Polar Bear is a fitting entity in the realm of solitude. ~ Anecdote and Polar Bear capture, In the Realm of Solitude © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Snow-White Drape a milky ‘scape a snow-white drape a cunning ruse effect Reynard moves swift through icy drifts so little to detect … its prey just won’t suspect ~ Poem and Arctic Fox capture, A Snow-White Drape © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Shade of Orange It was quite a surprise when it exited the chilled Arctic brine. The Svalbard Polar Bear didn’t wear a milky mantle. Instead, it sported a coat a shade of orange … probably due to minerals in the local waters. ~ Anecdote and Polar Bear capture, A Shade of Orange © Jerry L. Ferrara
Arctic Fox In the wilds of Norway, a young Arctic Fox gives pause. ~ Anecdote and Arctic Fox capture, Arctic Fox © Jerry L. Ferrara
Fortress of Ice Late light on a glacial face … Fortress of Ice. ~ 6:25PM. 9/7/22. 79° 42′ 79.962″ N by 21° 52′ 39.39″ E, Norway © Jerry L. Ferrara
Those Icy Stairs The polar glacial cold Holds a creature in its folds It’s there a spectral bear Footslogs those icy stairs The bruin seems a ghost The chill a perfect host ~ Poem and Polar Bear capture, Those Icy Stairs © Jerry L. Ferrara, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway
79° 15′ 26.34″ N x 22° 51′ 44.62″ E Recorded 8:42:29 PM [local time], 9/7/22, © Jerry L. Ferrara
On The Fly Catching this Atlantic Puffin on the fly as it hurtled through the Svalbard air space was both challenging and fun. The foot-long, fast-moving feathered fury is capable of flight speeds near 50mph as it zips to and from its shadowy cliffside roost and the salty sea. ~ Anecdote and Atlantic Puffin capture, On The Fly © Jerry L. Ferrara