The Obscure It seems as though it is usually the ‘glamour’ animals [eagles, big cats, bears, the large ungulates …] that are most often admired and celebrated. Rightfully so in many respects. They are simply stunning! But there are other ‘critters’ out there, too. A point in case is the handsome, smallish [4.5-5″], mostly seed-eating, native finch species known as the Pine Siskin. ~ Anecdote and Pine Siskin capture, The Obscure , © Jerry L. Ferrara
Crossing The River of Fire The setting was ablaze with the stain of autumn and in the still of a vividly-hued morn a White-tailed Deer doe herd magically materialized on the marge of a muted, meandering waterway. Their appearance was steeped in ghostly silence as they pregnantly paused streamside. Intrepidly, the deer stepped into the richly-tinged flow. In their march through the moist medium they appeared to be Crossing The River of Fire. ~ Anecdote and White-tailed Deer capture, Crossing The River of Fire © Jerry L. Ferrara
For Now I’ll Just Peek Though I may be weeI’m quite safe, you see.When I hitch a rideI don’t need to hide.As time moves alongthis youngster gets strong.Soon I will exploreand walk lowland floor.But until the dayI make my own way,it’s safety I seek.For now I’ll just peek.A mighty baboonI will be quite soon. ~ Poem and Olive Baboon capture, For Now I’ll Just Peek © Jerry L. Ferrara, Northern Serengeti, Tanzania
The Victor and The Vanquished They came together in the meadow on a cool and brisk Fall morn A bony lattice each displayed atop their heads adorned Locking weapons the beasts engaged, as calm was torn asunder The battle raged across the ‘scape evocative of thunder In the moment of defeat the Vanquished turned away The Victor boldly spoke triumph, giving no leeway ~ Poem and Rocky Mountain Elk capture, The Victor and The Vanquished © 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
Raindrops and Tears The air expressed a gentle essence and was shower-bestrewnThe wind was truant and so the moisture plummeted unswervinglyCreatures in the midst of the storm waited with the raindrops and tears ~ Anecdote and Chestnut-backed Chickadee capture, Raindrops and Tears © Jerry L. Ferrara
Waiting Out The Storm Sporting a suave and striking red moustache, a male Northern Flicker waits out a snow storm. The debonair-looking avian is a member of the woodpecker clan [Picidae family]. ~ Anecdote and Northern Flicker capture, Waiting Out The Storm © Jerry L. Ferrara
Along a Rocky Polar Shore Along a rocky polar shorestrides a beast the shade of hoar.Each day the bruin must face a testof what appears a ceaseless quest.Its massive frame requires much fare,in constant search be the Polar Bear.Along a rocky polar shorestrides a beast the shade of hoar. ~ Poem and Polar Bear capture, Along a Rocky Polar Shore © Jerry L. Ferrara, the Ormholet Channel, Svalbard Arctic Archipelago
Happy New Year Some of my favorite images created in 2024. ~ Image collection, Happy New Year © Jerry L. Ferrara
Hoarders, Losers and Winners For years now, we’ve been watching the bird feeders from our back porch. The energy displayed by the participants has been and is huge, especially demonstrated by the chickadees and nuthatches. They’re here at a feeder one moment grabbing an offering and gone in an instant only to return way too soon to have feasted. Perhaps they are storing for a ‘rainy day’? But where? Mystery solved. I finally caught one of the little stinkers [Red-breasted Nuthatch] in the act of pilfering and storing a peanut in the fungal folds of a lichen. Through the brambles and the brushThere always seems to be a rushWith a peanut firm in towOff to store it I will goSome will say I hoard ‘enough’But losers they when times are tough ~ Anecdote, poem and Red-breasted Nuthatch capture, Hoarders, Losers and Winners © Jerry L. Ferrara