Dark Intruder Dark Intruder in the skyPower through while feathers plyAre you on a treach’rous search?Absent from your lofty perchSome below are not awareThat danger lurks but in the air … and one of Nature’s apex predators, the Bald Eagle, goes in search of a salmon meal. ~ Poem and Bald Eagle capture, Dark Intruder © Jerry L. Ferrara
Outspread Outspread wings invite the air. Drag and lift do battle there. When feathers sing in harmony, the creature swims the sky so free. At the moment when it’s best, it spreads its plumes and comes to rest. ~ Poem and Bald Eagle capture, Outspread © Jerry L. Ferrara from the book, Wild North Idaho: Season of the Eagle
The Creature’s Steely Stare Idly the white-headed apex predator sat discreetly nestled in the verdant atmosphere of the forest’s upper canopy … and a gently falling sleet added tenor to the creature’s steely stare. Yesterday [12-15-24] we had twenty-five-plus Bald Eagle sightings within a thirty-minute period. It’s a never-tiring thrill to see these magnificent raptors. Catching this one in a quiet moment with the snow just topped the day. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, The Creature’s Steely Stare © Jerry L. Ferrara
The Hunter’s Moon When Fall does dawn A quickening spawns For Winter’s grasp be soon It’s time to reap From forest and sweep Behold the hunter’s moon ~ Poem and Idaho Scenic capture, The Hunter’s Moon © Jerry L. Ferrara
Mighty Sprite I may be small, but don’t be fooled, for in my tiny frame, I pack a punch compared to some that puts them quite to shame.I roam the woods and forest breaks while constantly in search And from atop the highest stands I wait upon my perch. So when the mousy beasties dash across the open tract I rocket off my waiting post and there commit the act. It’s swift and sure and if my prey is larger than am I I have no doubt that I will take it up when I do fly. ~ Poem and Northern Pygmy Owl capture, Mighty Sprite © Jerry L. Ferrara
Happy Thanksgiving Late in posting … still in a food coma. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. ~ Anecdote and Wild Turkey capture, Happy Thanksgiving © Jerry L. Ferrara
Sweep the Boreal Aurora Sky While the background for this shot may be reminiscent of those eerie, shadowy curtains of charged particles from the sun [the aurora borealis], it is in reality not the dramatic light show at all. What follows is the story behind the making of the image: Across the wide and watery chasm of the expansive bay, white-headed entities idled tree-bound in the deafening, hushed stillness while greeting the somber light of dawn. That same light, cast from the forest and smeared subtly onto the liquid surface, created ephemeral impressions, mirrored reflections, and muted hues … Nature the artist, the lake its immense canvas. In time, a solitary Bald Eagle launched from its lofty lookout. Over the pigmented fluid it glided low, the backdrop redolent of a Northern Lights array. Suddenly the eagle performed an astounding aerial maneuver … and “Sweep the Boreal Aurora Sky” came into existence. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, Sweep the Boreal Aurora Sky from the book, Wild North Idaho: Photos and Reflections © Jerry L. Ferrara
Elfin and Inconspicuous An elfin and inconspicuous Brown Creeper pauses briefly while foraging. The tiny avian is a native to our local Idaho forests. ~ Anecdote and Brown Creeper capture, Elfin and Inconspicuous © Jerry L. Ferrara
Intrepid Traveler The Eastern Kingbird has been a regular visitor to our North Idaho environs ever since I can remember, yet only in spring and summer. Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology indicates this intrepid traveler spends its winters in South America journeying from as far north as Canada’s Northwest Territories. That’s quite a range! I caught this one staging to catch insects from a wire fence next to a pasture close to my home last summer. ~ Anecdote and Eastern Kingbird capture, Intrepid Traveler © Jerry L. Ferrara
Against a Torrid Sky Late in the day a lone Osprey sits at its nest silhouetted against a torrid sky. ~ Anecdote and Osprey capture, Against a Torrid Sky © Jerry L. Ferrara