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
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
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
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
The Call of Fall The call of FallOft leads to brawlThe eerie wrawlTurns free-for-all ~ Poem and Rocky Mountain Elk capture, The Call of Fall © Jerry L. Ferrara
From July, 2020: Far Traveler Far Traveler, where have you been? Across the void and back again? Your journey’s steeped so deep in time Appearance, you do make sublime Go hurtle quick ’round bright orb Eccentric path that brought you toward While solar force extracts a toll And leaves your icy form less wholeSo if you survive through this plight Back to the “cloud” will be your flight Years before return might be Seven thousand, possiblyAnd if your dust and ice return That coma’s nucleus will burn Referred you are as space debris Yet your past does seem a key From whence the solar system came Shaped by the hand of Holy Name. ~ Poem and Comet C2020F3 Neowise capture, Far Traveler © Jerry L. Ferrara.
The Monarch’s Crown It may seem strange as day lengths changenot subtle the effectFor as light wanes it’s very plainresults are quite directFirst it begins with just the skina velvet dressing gownRub and scrape that mantled drapereveals the monarch’s crown ~ Poem and White-tailed Deer capture, The Monarch’s Crown © Jerry L. Ferrara
A Palette of Color A palette of color gives voice. ~ Anecdote and Western Tanager capture, A Palette of Color © Jerry L. Ferrara
Ambrosia The Red-naped Sapsucker is a member of the woodpecker clan and derives its peculiar name in part due to its penchant for tree sap. But the moniker seems a bit of a misnomer. Sapsuckers aren’t really capable of sucking much of anything. They have no apparatus for that strategy. Their method for procurement of the nourishing liquid first involves chipping holes in a tree’s bark [called sap wells] which allow the plant fluid to accumulate … sort of like collecting maple syrup. When the time arrives to harvest the ambrosia, the plucky bird doesn’t suck the ooze, but instead employs the tip of its tongue to lap up the fare. There’s an additional benefit to the construction of the sap wells. Their contents attract ants and other insects that sapsuckers seem to greatly savor, too! ~ Anecdote and Red-naped Sapsucker capture, Ambrosia © Jerry L. Ferrara