Short-eared Owl

Eye On The Prize A hunting Short-eared Owl has its eye on the prize below. ~ Short-eared Owl capture, Eye On The Prize © Jerry L. Ferrara

Spirit On The Wing It was late in the day and the sun was briskly heading in the direction of its nightly resting site. The light maintained a gentle bearing reflecting a softness absent of stark shadows. As a cool, moist breeze from the Pacific drifted through the tranquil coastal marsh, a gossamer creature magically appeared midair. The Short-eared Owl was on a quest. Its odyssey was strictly hunger-driven … and so, the moth-like specter silently sailed on wings wide … a spirit on the wing. ~ Anecdote and Short-eared Owl capture, Spirit On The Wing © Jerry L. Ferrara

Its Intent Was Deadly With its wings outspread and its rectrices [tail feathers] twisted from view but steering its flight, a Short-eared Owl abruptly turns in midair and descends toward its prey. Its focus was keen and its intent was deadly. ~ Anecdote and Short-eared Owl capture, Its Intent Was Deadly © Jerry L. Ferrara

And The Storm Carried On  The pre-dawn light had difficulty expressing itself through the moisture-laden overcast … and the storm carried on.  As sun-up slowly brightened the ambience, a gentle zephyr continued swirling a mixture of crystalline flakes and sleet through the grassland’s scape and a silent-winged visitor came low over the terrain landing upon an ancient, snow-mantled fence post. The Short- eared Owl had arrived … and the storm carried on.  For a while the plucky predator keenly scanned with both eye and ear the nearby expanse, searching for a tell-tale murid movement or sound that would disclose the location of its quarry. The reticent domain balefully glared back and was silent … and the storm carried on.  Without foreshadow the diminutive dynamo stooped forward and firmly launched to the sky. Its flight in departing was as silent and airy as its arrival … and the storm carried on.  ~ Anecdote and Short-eared Owl capture, And The Storm Carried On © Jerry L. Ferrara. 

Prelude: On gossamer wings a foraging Short-eared Owl silently swept the slough.  The Gentle Zephyr  The gentle zephyr quietly whispered secrets to the marsh, and the flora within the fen rhythmically rustled its acknowledgment by sensuously swaying to and fro.  Deep in the tangled depths of the wetland’s sedges, furry beasts of diminutive stature tunneled and scurried about in ways only voles understand and know how to do. Their secretiveness was practiced by design, for danger of immense magnitude ominously lurked overhead.  The menace from above came suddenly. It arrived without warning and was calmly delivered along with whispered secrets carried by the gentle zephyr. ~ Anecdote and Short-eared Owl capture, The Gentle Zephyr © Jerry L. Ferrara