SHOT FROM THE FILE Archives - Page 18 of 38 - Ferrara Wildlife Photography

California Quail – The Bird That Laughs

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

A King The Antarctic wind gusts the shore and as it does it sings A host of creatures, from the water, in gullets krill they bring Upon the land they waddle awkward, their gait not quite in swingNone the less this noble penguin is known to be a king A portrait made of a King Penguin as it returned to shore, South Georgia Island. ~ Poem and King Penguin capture, A King © Jerry L. Ferrara

Fire On The Fringe A closer look at the 4/8/24 total solar eclipse showing solar prominences extending into the inner corona. It seemed there was fire on the fringe. ~ Anecdote and 4/8/24 solar eclipse capture, Fire On The Fringe © Jerry L. Ferrara

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

Combat Along the sandy California seashore a pair of bellicose bull Northern Elephant Seals face off in combat. ~ Anecdote and Northern Elephant Seals capture, Combat © Jerry L. Ferrara

Mr. Pugnacious Mr. Pugnacious,You look so audaciouswith a mask that’s bodaciousyou give such a scowl.All rodents bewareOf that glowering glareAs you may not farewhen he’s on the prowl.… Mr. Pugnacious, you are so outrageous. ~ Poem and American Badger capture, Mr. Pugnacious © Jerry L. Ferrara

You’ve Gotta Be Pullin’ My Leg Wrestling, grappling and committing general mayhem, a pair of immature and rambunctious Utah Prairie Dogs were caught in the act of playing “rough house” when one pup grabbed the foot of its rival at the same moment the camera shutter captured their awareness of being noticed. Attention span was hugely succinct, though, as the adolescent duo resumed their spirited horseplay … wrestling, grappling and committing general mayhem. ~ Anecdote and Utah Prairie Dogs capture, You’ve Gotta Be Pullin’ My Leg © 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

The Stretch A Great Blue Heron takes on a posture called “The Stretch”, a courtship behavior carried out during and after pair formation. ~ Anecdote and Great Blue Heron capture, The Stretch © 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

SHOT FROM THE FILE

California Quail – The Bird That Laughs

King Penguin – A King

Solar Eclipse 4.8.24 – Fire On The Fringe

Fish Hawk [Osprey] – The Shake

Northern Elephant Seals – Combat

American Badger – Mr. Pugnacious

Utah Prairie Dogs – You’ve Gotta Be Pullin’ My Leg

Pileated Woodpecker – Funny Face

Great Blue Heron – The Stretch

Western Grebe – Rushing

Ferrara Wildlife Photography