SHOT FROM THE FILE Archives - Ferrara Wildlife Photography

Brown Bear – Stolen Solitude But Glory Revealed

I’ve never quite understood why some have fear of solitude … the condition of being alone. I find solitude to be cleansing, uplifting and spiritual. We should have more of it! Stolen Solitude But Glory Revealed As evening leisurely progresses, darkness slowly smothers the twilight and the newly arrived moon hurls a javelin of light across the gentle lake. Solitude reigns the scene … but not for long. Amidst the rhythmic liquid sound of the water softly licking the boreal shore, comes a heavy padding in the sand of massive bruin feet as an enormous Brown Bear ambulates the strand … solitude stolen, but glory revealed. On a lonely beach in a land of lorea mighty beast walks the distant shore.There’s no hurry to its pace.When it moves, it does with grace.Pause it at times to scan the scape.What does the brute anticipate?No matter what the linger seems,’tis but part of a grander scheme.The bear’s role is both bold and grand,designed and shaped by Hallowed Hands. ~ Anecdote, poem and Brown Bear capture, Solitude Stolen But Glory Revealed © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Conductor Looking almost like an orchestra conductor at the conclusion of a musical score, a Great Blue Heron uses its outstretched wings to stall its forward motion while alighting. This elegant wading bird is a familiar component of wetland habitats and is frequently observed stately striding freshwater marshes, coastal backwaters and salty seasides in search of a meal. ~ Anecdote and Great Blue Heron capture, The Conductor © Jerry L. Ferrara

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

Robin Wars They’re back and as persistent as ever! Robin wars are on! 😀 Their penchant? To build their nests over the porch light housings. Not good for a variety of reasons. They’re sneaky about it, too, conducting their work in the wee hours of the morning. Here I’m getting ‘eye-balled’, probably to determine if I’m watching their clandestine construction activities. ~ Anecdote and American Robin capture, Robin Wars © Jerry L. Ferrara

A Perfect Complement As a still and placid morning broke over a secluded woodland pond, two pair of Wood Duck idled gently on a partially submerged log. Their impressions, reflections created by the specular properties of the mirror-like watery surface, were a perfect complement to the quietude of the moment. ~ Anecdote and Wood Duck capture, A Perfect Complement © 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

A Mighty Leap The bear came down to the waterto grab a bite to eatIt searched and searched the liquid planeits exploit so discreetWhen there was a gesturefrom the aqueous deepThe bear turned quite tsunamiand made a mighty leap Notice the intense concentration on the bear’s face … so focused. Was the predator in this shot successful? Absolutely! I have many bear images with a salmon dangling from its maw, but this capture is a personal favorite representing bruin hunting behavior. For me, it’s the subject’s deep concentration that tells the story. ~ Poem, anecdote and Brown Bear capture, A Mighty Leap © Jerry L. Ferrara

Its Quavering Trill Atop a lofty sylvan crownFully dressed in royal gownA mighty king gives forth a callEchoes it through ‘mountain hall’Those who hear its quavering trillWill not forget the keening thrill ~ Poem and Bald Eagle capture, Its Quavering Trill © Jerry L. Ferrara

The Pocket Gopher Didn’t Stand A Chance The young female Bobcat had spent the better part of the morning hunting the open field. In time, the feline’s efforts lead to success … the gopher didn’t stand a chance. ~ Anecdote and Bobcat/Pocket Gopher capture, The Pocket Gopher Didn’t Stand A Chance © Jerry L. Ferrara

First Impression It was a first impression. Though sporting a much longer tail and a garish ‘coat’, this male Long-tailed Meadowlark immediately brought to mind our North American Western and Eastern Meadowlark species. ~ Anecdote and Long-tailed Meadowlark capture, First Impression © Jerry L. Ferrara. Chile, South America

SHOT FROM THE FILE

Brown Bear – Stolen Solitude But Glory Revealed

Great Blue Heron – The Conductor

Atlantic Walrus – Whiskery

American Robin – Robin Wars

Wood Duck – A Perfect Complement

Short-eared Owl – Its Intent Was Deadly

Brown Bear – A Mighty Leap

Bald Eagle – Its Quavering Trill

Bobcat/Pocket Gopher – The Pocket Gopher Didn’t Stand A Chance

Long-tailed Meadowlark – First Impression

Ferrara Wildlife Photography