Sea Parrot Carrying its catch firmly in its beak, this Atlantic Puffin [Sea Parrot] stalls its high-speed flight as it approaches its cliffside den. ~ Anecdote and Atlantic Puffin capture, Sea Parrot © Jerry L. Ferrara
Snowy Eyes that peer so straight ahead Seem to play inside my head Move I from side-to-side to see Those orbs do follow creepily Seems to be a strange illusion Certainly does cause confusion ~ Poem and Snowy Owl capture, Snowy © Jerry L. Ferrara
In the Blink of an Eye I find many transitory aspects of nature to be visually fascinating, especially those that are difficult to detect. Here, rainwater that had collected on the bottom edge of a moss- and lichen-adorned branch feels the tug of gravity. This is a single image made at a shutter speed of 120 frames per second. The action was seized in the blink of an eye. ~ Anecdote and rainwater capture, In the Blink of an Eye © Jerry L. Ferrara
Happy Fourth of July 2022! Independence A firm, fixed and steady eye is leveled by the Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus, as the stunning raptor thunders through the firmament. Power, strength, conviction and independence are its hallmark. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, Independence © Jerry L. Ferrara, from the book, Wild North Idaho: Season of the Eagle.
A Mighty Monarch Stepping into the briskly flowing river, I had my eyes focused on reaching a shallow sandbar. Once there I set up the camera, lens and tripod. All around in the flow, there was a bounty of spawning and dying salmon. The setting simply screamed at being an exceptional place for a hungry Brown Bear to dine. With time, the tall grass in the background magically began to move, yet the undulating gesticulations were not orchestrated by the wind. I waited. In a heartbeat the motion’s author became apparent … a mighty monarch joined me in the waterway. His sole intent was fixed on the banquet that lay before him. ~ Anecdote and Brown Bear capture, A Mighty Monarch © Jerry L. Ferrara
Shedding Water During its power dive into the lake, the Osprey missed its target, the fish. Coming up empty, the hawk climbed skyward from the liquid surface. Suddenly it sharply shook its waterlogged body sending a substantial spray of moisture into the atmosphere. It was shedding water. ~ Anecdote and Osprey capture, Shedding Water © Jerry L. Ferrara
Waiting Patiently Our smallest falcon, this American Kestrel was caught waiting patiently for a mouse or grasshopper meal to arrive. ~ Anecdote and American Kestrel capture, Waiting Patiently © Jerry L. Ferrara
To The Rescue The plum tree in our yard is heavily infested with plant lice this year. Look closely at the leaves. Yet, the Pine Siskins [members of the Finch family] and others are coming to the rescue. This one has a morsel it just gleaned at the tip of its beak. ~ Anecdote and Pine Siskin capture, To The Rescue © Jerry L. Ferrara
Oscuro [Dark] Secreted in the tenebrous shadow of a massive granitic boulder, the cat cautiously crouched. Its body posture spoke of uneasiness and apprehension. The Puma stared. Then, imperceptible to the eye, it mysteriously moved to a full-sitting posture. After a brief moment, it surreptitiously turned and parted from the inky shade. Like the “ghost-creature” it was, the dark and mystical feline form paused fleetingly before magically melting into the lofty expanse. He was Oscuro [Dark]. ~ Anecdote and Puma capture, Oscuro [Dark] © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Creeper’s Way Lives it in the forest green Oft there does it go unseen Cryptic be its outer wear So it blends in to nowhere Curved beak to probe for insect prey A tail that’s long and helps it stay Up or down along a tree It mocks the force of gravity Inch by inch it creeps along While it gives its high-pitched song Odd behavior some would say Yet it’s but the Creeper’s way The Brown Creeper is an unobtrusive, infrequently observed North American songbird. I caught this one in our yard as it investigated the tree trunk for spiders and insects. Notice how its feather colors match the tree’s surface. ~ Poem, anecdote and Brown Creeper capture, The Creeper’s Way © Jerry L. Ferrara