BEWARE With its nose up in the airMight you feel that chilly stare?BEWARE the Polar Bear Scientists believe Polar Bears are “super sniffers”. They’ve been accredited with being able to smell their target prey [seals] at long distances. ~ Anecdote, poem and Polar Bear capture, BEWARE © Jerry L. Ferrara
Power Play Scientists have drawn attention to the importance of play behavior in many species. The power of play is especially helpful in honing motor skills and developing techniques that may be beneficial in life. In a “rough and tumble” play fight session, a Polar Bear implements an impressive tactic with an opponent…a definite power play. As two behemoths spar away across the Arctic sand, their rough-and-tumble actions seem hard to understand. Grapple, thrash and wildly flail each other all around. Is this a deadly battle, or a moment just to clown? Suddenly one submits, it turns to run and flee.Not a passive gesture, though, as first it seems to be. Gaining edge above its foe not long the stance did stay, a ploy to make its final move, a mighty power play. ~ Anecdote, poem and Polar Bear capture, Power Play © 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 Better View Water flowing off its forelimbs and massive paws, a Polar Bear rears up for a better view in the chilly waters of ANWR. ~ Anecdote and Polar Bear capture, A Better View © 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
Rub-a-dub On the distant marge of Alaska’s interface with the frigid Arctic Ocean, Polar Bears gathered in anticipation of the forming ice pack. In many instances their coats were quite dirty and there was no snow on the ground , yet … not the best of circumstances and settings for photography. Then it snowed. Rub-a-dub, its coat wears mud When come the snows, the bruin knows To make it clean, a roll it seems Is all it takes, and fine it makes ~ Anecdote, poem and Polar Bear capture, Rub-a-dub © Jerry L. Ferrara
Walking On Water As the Arctic days passed, the ambient temperature plummeted and the water began to congeal. At times there was flexure to the liquid’s surface and it became a kind of rubbery platform. Some of the younger Polar Bears were able to successfully maneuver across the plastic medium without punching through. At times they appeared to be walking on water. ~ Anecdote and Polar Bear capture, Walking On Water © 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
Along a Rocky Polar Shore Along a rocky polar shore Strides a beast the shade of hoar Its quest does seem forever more Along a rocky polar shore ~ Poem and Polar Bear capture, Along a Rocky Polar Shore © Jerry L. Ferrara. Recorded in the Ormholet Channel [78º 38′ 20.136″ N by 21º 12′ 1.374″ E] of Norway’s Svalbard Arctic Archipelago. 9/9/22