Two Belts For this Belted Kingfisher, two belts [one rust-brown, one blue-gray] mean the creature is a female. The male counterpart has but one blue-gray belt. This female happened to be making the rounds early one morning when I caught her perched atop a bush. Suddenly she opened her stiletto-style beak and gave out the species’ raucous, clattery call. The hushed morning air was rocked! ~ Anecdote and Belted Kingfisher capture, Two Belts © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Cacophony on Steroids The din was disquieting in the Cape Gannet rookery as thousands of these strikingly handsome sea birds quarreled for real estate from which to breed and rear their young — a cacophony on steroids. ~ Anecdote and Cape Gannet capture, A Cacophony on Steroids © Jerry L. Ferrara. Lambert’s Bay, South Africa
Using Your Head In Montana, this Black-tailed Prairie Dog was in the process of playing architect and to accomplish the task, the phrase ”using your head” became quite appropriate. A powerful storm had just passed over and the soaker had drenched the earth. The prairie dog took this opportunity to move the moistened, loosened soil to build up the mound around its burrow. Of course this was facilitated by pushing the dirt into position and then tamping it with its nose and forehead. So … using your head to do the job, in this case, was literally accurate. ~ Anecdote and Black-tailed Prairie Dog capture, Using Your Head © Jerry L. Ferrara
Rejected In the rich light of early morning a drama takes place. In a heron rookery, inhabitants know the rulesDo not encroach another’s space or surely be the foolSo give a sign that you belong, lest risk to be inspectedAnd if you aren’t convincing, you’ll surely be rejected ~ Poem and Great Blue Heron capture, Rejected © Jerry L. Ferrara
Running It was very late in the day. Harsh shadows had retired and a coolness permeated the air. It was time to play. That’s exactly what a White-tailed Deer fawn was doing as it enthusiastically dashed before my camera and lens, seemingly running for the pure pleasure of running. The caper was caught quickly as the youthful creature bolted by. ~ Anecdote and White-tailed Deer capture, Running © Jerry L. Ferrara
Onca The Prelude: The setting for today’s story is an old California Spanish Land Grant tract of land known as Rancho Guejito [wah-hee’-tah] in east San Diego County. I believe the actual incident related here occurred somewhere between the late 1940’s to mid 1950’s. The account was told to me by my father when I was a very young boy. My father heard the narrative directly from the rancher who actually experienced the event. The tale made a lasting impression on my youthful, fertile mind and I often thought what a great experience it would be to see a Jaguar in a truly wild setting. The seed of a dream was planted many years ago and it began with this story. The Narrative: A heavy brume blanketed the rolling topography hiding secrets within its murky mist. This was an often-recurring early morning manifestation that happens in the Engleman Oak forest and chaparral-laced place known as Rancho Guejito … and a cattleman on his steady steed came to pause while in search of the herd. During the respite the rancher adjusted the wide brim of his lofty-crowned hat and rearranged the oversized white kerchief masking the prodigious goiter bulging from his […]
Focused On The Prize I have many images of Osprey pulling fish from the ‘darkling drink’ as well as flying with their catch held tenaciously in talon. I chose to present something a bit different today. This one highlights a micro-moment just before hitting the water. Plunging toward its prey, the fish hawk was intently focused on the prize. ~ Anecdote and Osprey capture, Focused On The Prize © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Single Tree Across the open wide expanse a single tree does strike a stance. In its solitary pose a statement of the self it shows. The individual stands alone, it will never be dethroned. For in conviction dwells its strength, to carry on at such great length. Just be sure to understand a price is paid to bear this brand. The quality of self-reliance oft requires great defiance. Go alone who stand as one and fight until the battle’s done. So independents need to be, to offer hope to the collective sea. Across the open wide expanse a single tree does strike a stance. ~ Poem and Scenic capture, A Single Tree © Jerry L. Ferrara. A view of the Scenic Palouse
Hey Bear Walking down the path you go lumber, lumber – oh, so slow. Is there anyone who’d dare take you on, Oh Mighty Bear? For this I have some serious doubt. So for now I will not shout as such a move may startle you, something not so wise to do. As I walk the narrow way guaranteed, no I won’t stay. So at an angle forty-five my course to you I will but strive. And if you choose to walk on by, I will merely say there, hi! …say VERY softly: Hey Bear ~ Poem and Coastal Brown Bear capture, Hey Bear © Jerry L. Ferrara
On A Spree A flash of yellow from alder tree betrays a presence … what could it be? There one moment, then it’s gone. The furtive spirit lasts not long. It sings a melody so bright, a stream of notes from such a sprite. The pleasing chords tell who you be: A Yellow Warbler on a spree! ~ Poem and Yellow Warbler capture, On A Spree © Jerry L. Ferrara