Tasty Treats!

Recently we were watching this snowy egret as it picked it’s way along the salt marsh looking for small fish and shrimp. The little guy had a very busy evening as it moved in and around the oyster beds in search of a meal. Although most of what it caught was rather small, enough of these tasty treats will fill him up and get him through the night quite nicely!

57 thoughts on “Tasty Treats!”

Bella Remy Photography on October 21, 2012 at 11:32 am said:

These are absolutely amazing shots Phil ! Now some technical help if you don’t mind. What are your settings on these shots? and did you have to crop in post-processing?

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 12:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million! Glad you enjoyed the pics of the fun little snowy!
  
  As far as tech info goes…I shoot in manual mode probably 95% of the time and shoot white birds in M 100% of the time. I have found that using any auto setting on white birds is giving the camera permission to screw you up.
  These were all shot at 1/2000 shutter, and f8 at 200 ISO. I don’t mind letting the background go a bit dark because I would rather try to preserve detail in the white birds.
  These were about a 20-30% crop. Not too heavy.
  Hope this helps.
  Cheers,
  Phil
  
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orofiorentino on October 21, 2012 at 11:51 am said:

Absolutely amazing photos !!! Orofiorentino

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 12:35 pm said:
  
  Grazie per guardare le foto mio caro!
  
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  - orofiorentino on October 21, 2012 at 1:44 pm said:
    
    I am a woman…Your photos is very MAGIC… Bye Giovanna
    
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adinparadise on October 21, 2012 at 11:51 am said:

I had a feeling that the “tasty treats” weren’t going to be cheesecakes and chocolate brownies. 🙂 Fantastic photos once again, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 12:37 pm said:
  
  Oh so now again you have me thinking about cheesecake and brownies! :drool: 😀
  
  Thanks for checking out the snowy pics, glad you enjoyed them. 😉
  
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WildBlack on October 21, 2012 at 11:59 am said:

Stunning shots 🙂 great clarity.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 12:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you for looking and I appreciate your kind comments!
  
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mike585 on October 21, 2012 at 12:22 pm said:

Lovely images, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 12:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Mike!
  
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suburbanferndaleark on October 21, 2012 at 12:41 pm said:

Dang good lookin’ snowy egret! Beautiful detail and contrast. Just plain WOW!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  I really appreciate you viewing the snowy photos and thanks much for the kind comments!
  
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coast72 on October 21, 2012 at 1:29 pm said:

Just fell in love with your first picture there , the blue makes it really stand out..and the details on the feathers are amazing !

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:04 pm said:
  
  Well thanks a bunch, glad you like the snowy pics! This one did have some nice feather action going on.
  
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Angelia Sims on October 21, 2012 at 2:01 pm said:

His feathers are gorgeous. He must have just left the beauty shop. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  Does look like a beauty shop custom job on those feathers! 😀
  
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thehappyhugger on October 21, 2012 at 2:18 pm said:

He looks so sparkling clean!
Lovely shots, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  Very clean indeed! Unlike the Ibis, who we refer to as “muddy ibis”. Those guys are rarely clean.
  Thanks much for looking!
  
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Chillbrook on October 21, 2012 at 2:52 pm said:

They are beautiful aren’t they! That lovely tail. Thank you for bringing us these pictures day after day Phil. It’s a real treat and I look forward to your post everyday. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:07 pm said:
  
  I’m so happy you enjoy seeing the nature in my little corner of the world! Thanks!
  
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Kitt Crescendo on October 21, 2012 at 3:02 pm said:

Mmmm…Sushi! That’s what you call singleminded focus. Another job well done. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:07 pm said:
  
  I appreciate the kind words, and yes they do like it fresh from the ocean! 😀
  
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rebeldogs55 on October 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm said:

I am again left in awe!! Your work is OUTSTANDING and such a thrill to look at!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you Molly, I’m very happy to know you enjoy seieng the photos!
  
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Patrizia M. on October 21, 2012 at 3:53 pm said:

Fantastiche, sono molto nitide e colgono attimi molto particolari.
Bravissimo
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:10 pm said:
  
  Hello Pat!
  Grazie mille, sono molto felice che ti piace le foto!
  
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niasunset on October 21, 2012 at 4:25 pm said:

WOW! Who combed her feather 🙂 This is amazing photograph, amazing. Thank you, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Nia! This bird was combed very nicely wasn’t it?! 😀
  
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  - niasunset on October 21, 2012 at 5:24 pm said:
    
    It was amazing… 🙂
    
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Gunta on October 21, 2012 at 5:18 pm said:

That first one blew my socks off. Even more so than your usual wonderful images. Just curious… where is your little corner of the world. My guess would have to be somewhere in FL with all them gator critters…. (and the wish to see a Pacific sunset.)

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 5:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Gunta! I really value and appreciate your very kind comments!
  I’m in the coastal SC area. Many people don’t realize we have alligators here but….we do! 😯
  Cheers
  Phil
  
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Gracie on October 21, 2012 at 6:44 pm said:

These are really beautiful, Phil! Brilliant and clear shots b

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- Phil Lanoue on October 21, 2012 at 7:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Gracie!
  
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lylekrahn on October 21, 2012 at 9:05 pm said:

The white on those birds is so bright it’s almost illegal! Gorgeous. Thanks for explaining how you get there. White birds on Aperture Priority have thrown me a few curve balls.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  They really are super bright white aren’t they?! Thanks for checking out the pics!
  Aperture Priority can be tough on white birds, even using exposure comp.
  
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janmasyn on October 22, 2012 at 2:52 am said:

Great shots, the first one is wonderful.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you looking!
  
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Herbstbaum on October 22, 2012 at 2:58 am said:

White beauty! I had to look up in the album: the tail is always like this – kind of avant-garde.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  Thank you! He does have some snazzy tail feathers doesn’t he?! 😀
  
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photographybyjoylene on October 22, 2012 at 6:53 am said:

Wonderful captures and I especially love the reflections of the birds in the water.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2012 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for your kind comments!
  
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theforagingphotographer on October 22, 2012 at 7:15 am said:

These are stunning Phil, I especially like the one with its mouth open.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2012 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  So glad you like these snowy photos Lucy!
  
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Fergiemoto on October 22, 2012 at 12:11 pm said:

Such beautiful birds!
Is this the one with the big yellow feet? I just love those!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 22, 2012 at 4:09 pm said:
  
  They are pretty birds, and yes they have yellow or green feet. 😀
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on October 23, 2012 at 2:37 am said:

What a pretty little chap with his showy head feathers and jerkin ties (and goodness knows, a sort of bunny rabbit tail!).

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- Phil Lanoue on October 23, 2012 at 3:04 pm said:
  
  Ha! It almost does have a bunny tail! 😀 And yes it is a pretty little bird! Thanks! 😀
  
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bibibapka on October 23, 2012 at 8:20 am said:

Fantastic. I especially like the last photo with the red showing in his beak.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 23, 2012 at 3:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, glad you liked these!
  
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starlaschat on October 23, 2012 at 11:46 am said:

Outstanding photos! those soft tail feathers and the soft feathers on the head really delicate.:+)

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- Phil Lanoue on October 23, 2012 at 3:06 pm said:
  
  Those head and tail feathers do look rather delicate and elegant don’t they?!
  Thanks so much for your kind comments!
  
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  - starlaschat on October 23, 2012 at 3:25 pm said:
    
    Your Welcome! :+)
    
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Katariina Partala on October 23, 2012 at 1:59 pm said:

Omnom nom nom… He’s really cute! But this post made me really hungry, maybe I should go cook some fish for myself! :p

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- Phil Lanoue on October 23, 2012 at 3:07 pm said:
  
  I believe he was catching some shrimp as well (or prawns) I bet they would go great for a nice seafood combo platter! 😀
  Now you have me hungry.
  
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Where Is Lori Now on October 23, 2012 at 3:40 pm said:

I can actually imagine the excitement you were feeling while taking this photo. Great shot…that tail in the first photo is just neat. Spectacular photo, thanks for sharing it with us!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 23, 2012 at 3:47 pm said:
  
  Well thanks very much for looking and also I appreciate your very kind comments!
  
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