Late Morning Flight | Phil Lanoue Photography

Late Morning Flight

On a recent morning I saw this great egret fly across the marsh pond but right against the trees. The strong upper back and side lighting along with the exposure combined to make the background go black while parts of the bird’s face and wings were highlighted. He was also having a bit of a squawk as he flew…which made his tongue stand out with that lighting!

56 thoughts on “Late Morning Flight”

monisertel on May 19, 2013 at 1:10 pm said:

Hello Phil, outstanding captured, the first pic is my fav!
Wish you a nice day,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  Glad you liked these moni, thanks!
  
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dschulze15 on May 19, 2013 at 1:24 pm said:

Beautiful.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  Thanks for checking ’em out.
  
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Steve Gingold on May 19, 2013 at 2:04 pm said:

Super sequence, Phil. The combination of highlight and shadow is great for this egret.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed these Steve, thanks!
  
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adinparadise on May 19, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:

Amazing captures, Phil I never thought of them as having tongues, but now you’ve proved that they do. 😆 That plumage is so white, it’s almost like angel wings.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:00 am said:
  
  I often tend to overlook the egrets but they are quite beautiful birds with those angel wings and of course the tongue is just a bonus in the photos. 😀
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on May 19, 2013 at 3:11 pm said:

It seems that if an egret can fly, then almost anything should be possible.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:01 am said:
  
  They are very nice flyers and look quite elegant as they go by. Thanks for looking Charlie. 🙂
  
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juditon on May 19, 2013 at 4:11 pm said:

Gorgeous images, always like your photos they are crisp and net.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:01 am said:
  
  I’m happy to know you liked these, thanks!
  
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mike585 on May 19, 2013 at 4:33 pm said:

Really beautiful images, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:02 am said:
  
  Thanks much for the kind comments Mike.
  
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Molly Argo on May 19, 2013 at 5:09 pm said:

Beautiful shots. I love the contrast of the dark background against the white of the Egret.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:02 am said:
  
  Thanks Molly, I really appreciate you looking and commenting!
  
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Andrew on May 19, 2013 at 7:34 pm said:

I suspect most people don’t appreciate how difficult these birds are to expose correctly. These are excellent technically as we’ll as aesthetically. Congratulations.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:03 am said:
  
  Thank you very much for pointing that out about the exposure Andrew. I work hard to try to get it right, or at least passable and I greatly appreciate your kind comments!
  
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photographybycalliec on May 19, 2013 at 9:37 pm said:

Stunning!!!,So sharp and so good, I love how you can even see the tongue, Wild life magazine material.
excellent Cheers Callie

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:03 am said:
  
  Thanks a million for checking these out Callie and glad you like ’em!
  
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  - photographybycalliec on May 21, 2013 at 2:59 pm said:
    
    I always see them but some times the internet is that slow, so thats why I dont comment. Your work is amazing.
    cheers Callie
    
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Jon Rista on May 19, 2013 at 11:14 pm said:

Beautiful shots, Phil! I especially love that first one…the light shining through the wings is amazing. Love the light bird contrasted against the dark background, too.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:04 am said:
  
  I really appreciate your very kind words and I’m happy you enjoyed these!
  
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Jane Lurie on May 20, 2013 at 12:19 am said:

These are beautiful, Phil. Great lighting and the black background works so well. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a shot with an egret’s tongue showing… now that’s a bonus!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:05 am said:
  
  Ha! You are right Jane! That tongue in the shots was a total bonus! I don’t see that every day. 🙂
  Thanks much!
  
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janmasyn on May 20, 2013 at 5:19 am said:

Stunning shots Phil, great lighting.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:05 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Jan and glad you like them!
  
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Conor Cullen on May 20, 2013 at 9:09 am said:

Nice to catch up with your birds, Phil! Beautiful shot, as always.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:06 am said:
  
  Thanks for looking and commenting Conor I appreciate it and I’m glad you like the bird pics!
  
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  - Conor Cullen on May 21, 2013 at 1:21 pm said:
    
    They convey such a sense of majesty, freedom and, often times, fun.
    
    Keep up the good work!
    
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Maggie Davey on May 20, 2013 at 10:03 am said:

These are so beautiful, Phil! The light through the wingfeathers is stunning, also the green on the face!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:06 am said:
  
  I’m really happy you enjoyed these Maggie, thanks!
  
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Chillbrook on May 20, 2013 at 1:14 pm said:

Magical Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:06 am said:
  
  Thanks much Adrian, I appreciate it!
  
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RobynG on May 20, 2013 at 3:05 pm said:

Gorgeous. You couldn’t have captured the light on the wings more beautifully Phil. Lovely! Robyn

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:07 am said:
  
  Thanks for looking and commenting Robyn and I’m glad you enjoyed these egret photos!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on May 20, 2013 at 3:25 pm said:

Beautiful!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:07 am said:
  
  Thanks much Deb, appreciate it!
  
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lylekrahn on May 20, 2013 at 4:40 pm said:

It was already great without the tongue sticking up.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:08 am said:
  
  That tongue action was a total bonus! Thanks for checking ’em out!
  
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thecasualrider on May 20, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:

That we could all look so graceful. It’s almost balletic. Lovely, lovely wing light.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:08 am said:
  
  They are quite graceful and elegant flyers. Thanks for you kind words!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on May 20, 2013 at 9:26 pm said:

I though right away the bird had much to say. Love the way the lighting hit and forced the black background. Great pose too.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:09 am said:
  
  I’m happy to know you enjoyed these photos of the chatty egret and you like the lighting and setting!
  
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FeyGirl on May 20, 2013 at 10:07 pm said:

Just gorgeous!!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 21, 2013 at 11:09 am said:
  
  Thanks much, I appreciate you checking these out!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on May 22, 2013 at 6:03 pm said:

How fantastic! Nature gave you the perfect backdrop.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 24, 2013 at 1:25 pm said:
  
  It worked out this time! Thanks Emily.
  
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Gunta on May 23, 2013 at 1:56 am said:

I think Chillbrook found the right word for these… magical! Completely.

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- Phil Lanoue on May 24, 2013 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I’m happy you enjoyed these!
  
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Katariina Partala on May 24, 2013 at 12:59 pm said:

Awesome pics! Love the tongue detail 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on May 24, 2013 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Gotta love when you get bonus tongue at no extra charge! 😉 😀
  
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  - Fergiemoto on May 28, 2013 at 2:21 pm said:
    
    LOL – “bonus tongue”
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:
      
      😆
      
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Fergiemoto on May 28, 2013 at 2:20 pm said:

Wow, wonderful shots, Phil!!

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- Phil Lanoue on May 28, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much glad you like ’em!
  
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