One Year Anniversary
I have recently reached the one year anniversary of my wildlife photo blog here on Word Press. When I started this back in June 2012 I had no idea if anyone would ever look at it. Now, one year later, I am thrilled to have so many wonderful folks checking in to view my photos and write such kind, thoughtful comments. I greatly appreciate all the interest and support you all have shown me over this these past 12 months, and I value each and every one of you tremendously. Every time I head out to watch and photograph the various wildlife in our area I always think of you folks and try to come back with some pictures and maybe a story that hopefully everyone will enjoy. So often you tell me that you do, and that really keeps me going back out there and adds to the pleasure I feel from being in nature.
For today’s post I went back over the past year and pulled out a few of my favorite photos and, I hope, some of yours as well. These are presented starting with the earliest posts first, leading up to the most recent. Some of these you may remember and some of you may be seeing them for the very first time. Either way I hope you enjoy these and I once again thank you for being there for me!
Phil
Gator vs Croc
Anhinga With Fish
Spoonbill Picks Up Alligator Tail
Great Blue Heron At Sunset
Alligator With Butterfly Ray
Osprey Shaking Off Water
Eagle Chasing Osprey
Bald Eagle Fishing In The Marsh
Great Egret Mid Air Battle
Bald Eagles Canoodling
Brown Pelican Bathing
Swallow-tailed Kite With Snake
Phil Lanoue Photography 
These are all awesome shots….the gator versus croc is simply wonderful…..love the humor.
I have followed your posts everyday and really find them thrilling even if I have not commented on the blog. I look forward to many more years of the great photos.
Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting Frank and I am happy you enjoy your visits here!
Hey thanks very much Simone! So glad you like the pics! That alligator really did find that croc shoe floating in the salt marsh but he realized he couldn’t eat the rubber and spit it out after chewing on it for a while. Believe it or not we went back the next day and found that Croc shoe and we have it! 🙂
Ohh, mein Crocs 😦 Fantastische Fotos!!
Thank you so much! I don’t think Mr. Gator likes Croc shoes. 🙂
Great photographs. I haven’t seen some of these before. Croc vs. Gator — who won?
Thanks a million David I appreciate you checking these out!
That alligator really did find that croc shoe floating in the salt marsh but he realized he couldn’t eat the rubber and spit it out after chewing on it for a while. Believe it or not we went back the next day and found that Croc shoe and we have it! 🙂 Those photos also went world wide the next day it was pretty funny.
Congratulations. I have enjoyed every post.
That’s really nice to hear Judy thanks very much I really appreciate it!
Congrats to you, Phil. You have the most fantastic blog and I enjoy my every visit. I love your selection to celebrate your first anniversary. That ‘gator vs croc’ is priceless. I haven’t seen it before. 😀 All are BRILLIANT shots!
Thanks very much for your super kind words Sylvia I always appreciate your ongoing support!
That alligator really did find that croc shoe floating in the salt marsh but he realized he couldn’t eat the rubber and spit it out after chewing on it for a while. Believe it or not we went back the next day and found that Croc shoe and we have it! 🙂 Those photos also went world wide the next day it was pretty funny.
Dear Phil, not only the photos from today fascinating me. But all the photos that you presenting! It is very nice, that I’ve found your blog. Every day I discover new amazing situations.
Thank you for show us your daily animal beauties! ☼
I am so happy to hear that you enjoy your visits here, thank you very much!
Every single shot is totally brilliant, but I have to say that the first one literally had me laughing out loud… pretty nearly doing the falling off my chair bit…. what a marvelous collection you have here and a big congrats to your first year anniversary. You’ve kept me coming back for quite awhile now…..
ps… I can also very much relate to that encouragement and satisfaction one feels from the folks who visit and comment on the stuff I share.
Yes that is true I really feel blessed to have people come back often and comment about the photos they enjoy.
That alligator really did find that croc shoe floating in the salt marsh but he realized he couldn’t eat the rubber and spit it out after chewing on it for a while. Believe it or not we went back the next day and found that Croc shoe and we have it! 🙂 Those photos also went world wide the next day it was pretty funny.
So glad you enjoy your visits here Gunta I’m very happy you are around!
Top one is great and the spoonbill versus croc, wonder what happened 🙂
Glad you like these! There were several young spoonbills around and when they found that alligator they would not leave it alone. They kept following it and picking at it’s tail, we couldn’t believe it. The alligator was so well behaved too he didn’t bother trying to chase off the curious spoonies he just wanted to be left alone.
Congratulations to you! I love it here. This retrospective sampling is so interesting. Each is special in its own way. And beautiful. I hestitate to say this, but an alligator eating a Croc! LOVE IT!
Well I truly appreciate your very kind words and I’m happy you enjoy your visits here!
That alligator really did find that croc shoe floating in the salt marsh but he realized he couldn’t eat the rubber and spit it out after chewing on it for a while. Believe it or not we went back the next day and found that Croc shoe and we have it! 🙂 Those photos also went world wide the next day it was pretty funny.
Splendid photowork, awesome serie!
Thanks very much Hans for looking and commenting and I’m happy you always enjoy the photos!
Excellent work on this blog, Phil! It seems that the effort paid off
Well I really appreciate your very kind comments Gareth and I’m happy to hear you enjoy the blog and seeing the pics! Thanks!
I really enjoy your site and photographs, some of the very best nature shots on the web. Congrats on one year. I remember many of your favorites. My favorite is the Spoonbill picking up the gator tail.
Thank you for your visits and many kind comments I truly appreciate it!
There were a few spoonies out that night, all young ones and when they found that poor alligator they just wouldn’t leave it alone. The gator tried his best to put up with the unwanted attention and ignore them which eventually worked because they finally got bored with the gator and left him alone.
Classic Phil shots definitely worthy of a first anniversary post. So what’s your goal for the next year?
Thanks a million Lyle I really appreciate it.
My sights are set on getting either a bald eagle or a spoonbill riding an alligator like a surfboard.
Well either that or teach my cat to play the piano. One or the other.
I will not rest until I reach that goal!
OK…I might rest a little, just here and there.
Aww! Congrats on your anniversary. You know how much I enjoy your photos. 🙂
Yes I do know and I greatly appreciate your support as always, thanks! 🙂
Your images are ridiculously good. You give me enjoyment daily and I look forward to opening your postsi to vicarously experience what you see. Even though I do not often post comments, you can bet that I look and admire! Thank you for managing your site for me and all other want-a-be photographers. You inspire and qualify as one of my favorites!
Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting Beverly and I am thrilled you enjoy the photos!
Thanks very much!
Phil, I’m one of the lucky ones who has been with you for the year. You are an amazing photographer and I have thoroughly enjoyed your stories as well. You’ve documented life in the park so beautifully. Thank you!
Hi Maleea, yes I know you have been here from the beginning and I greatly appreciate your continued interest and support and thanks for the very kind words!
HI Phil, it is I who have had the privilege of finding you! And getting to know you and your little piece of our great US. that you capture and share on a daily basis.. thank you!
Thanks so much Sally that’s very nice of you to say! I am so happy to know you enjoy viewing the photos here!
Phil, each of these pictures are truly remarkable. You bring me laughter, learning, pleasure and deep respect for your brilliant pictures each day. Thank you more than words can say.
I’m am very happy that you continue to enjoy the photos and also that you say such kind comments about them Maggie! Thanks as always, cheers Phil 🙂
Fantastic pics. Can’t say which is my favorite. I’m enyoing all your pics. You really catch those funny and impressive moments. Kepp on the good work.
Thanks very much I’m glad you enjoy the photos and also get a laugh every once in a while that is great to hear! 🙂
I appreciate your kind words so much.
Happy Anniversary Phil. Wonderful retrospective of images.
Thank you Edith, I appreciate you checking in and glad you enjoyed these photos.
I really enjoy looking at your stunning photos and besides that, í´ve learned a lot from you about your wildlife. // Maria 🙂
Well I am very happy you have been enjoying the photos and are also learning about the various wildlife in my area. Thanks Maria.
Congrats on your one year anniversary – keep ’em coming cause we love them :).
Thank you very much and I’m very happy to hear that!
Congrats on your milestone-great photos
I appreciate the kind words, thanks!
An extraordinary collection of highlights, Phil. I have enjoyed your blog immensely.
That’s really very nice of you to say Andrew, thanks a million!
Each and every one…fantastic 🙂 🙂 Happy Anniversary!
I greatly appreciate your very kind words, thanks!
What a year, and what a beautiful collection of nature shots, i always enjoy looking at them.
Thank you Jan as always I value your support and interest in my photos.
Congratulations on the first anniversary of your blog. My first time here and thanks to your anniversary post, I am treated to some fantastic pictures. You can count on me to visit regularly going forward 🙂
Well I really appreciate your visit here and also your very kind comments about my photos, thanks a lot!
Congratulations on a wonderful year of photography, Phil. You manage to catch these incredible nature moments with great timing, technique and good humor. This post is a terrific retrospective of your talents. Looking forward to year two!
Thanks very much Jane your kind words mean a lot and I’m happy you have been enjoying the photos!
Congratulations, Phil.
Thanks Mike I appreciate you checking in!
Super selection of some extraordinary experiences, Phil. The croc with the croc is fun, the the Osprey shaking off water and that devil may care Spoonie with a whole lot of trouble in its mouth are three I particularly like…but all are quite good.
So nice of you to visit and I truly appreciate your very kind comments Steve! That spoonie was some piece of work I can tell you. They sure can be goofy birds at times. The gator with the Croc was a funny scene to witness as well.
Hello Phil, Congrats on a wonderful first anniversary. Your blog is the first I check each day and I am never disappointed. Look forward to many more years of gorgeous wildlife photography…..
Hey thanks Dianne, I greatly appreciate your interest and support and your very kind comments. 🙂
I also enjoy your daily posts of wildlife and hope you your WordPress blog continues, however, I think it may be time to publish a book. I would definitely buy it, and since you already have quite a following, I’m sure I am not alone!
Well I really do appreciate your kind comments and your support for my photos. I might work on a new photo book at some point if I get particularly ambitious. 🙂 Thanks
Happy One Year Anniversary Phil and Alyce!! Thanks so much for sharing your photos with us!! We appreciate all of your time spent on capturing these wonderful creatures of nature!! Always look forward to seeing the email pop in that there are new ones to look at!! Congrats and keep up the great work!!
Thanks a million Connie, we really appreciate you checking in and also your very kind comments! So glad you enjoy the photos!
Happy anniversary Phil! It’s been such a pleasure following your blog! I’m looking forward to the year ahead.
Thank you very much Adrian, I truly value your continued support and interest in my photos and I’m always thrilled by a visit to view your outstanding work!
Cheers!
These are wonderful shots. You have really put your sports photographer expertise to great use in wildlife photography. I thoroughly enjoy each of your posts.
Thank you so much for your kind words Sue, I’m so happy you enjoy viewing the posts here!
Thank you so much for bringing beautiful nature and fun stories to us! Every shot you take shows a great effort of your part. I feel lucky to be your follower. Have a wonderful summer, Phil!
That is really nice of you to say that Amy I greatly appreciate it! I try to focus (so to speak) on subjects and situations in nature that I hope folks here will enjoy, glad to know you like the pics and stories! 🙂
Keep em coming Phil, look forward to seeing them each day. If it wasn’t for your photos, I wouldn’t have such a passion for taking photos of wildlife myself. Happy Anniversary
Thanks a million Patricia that’s extremely nice of you to say that and I’m sure you are out there getting some amazing wildlife photos but if you truly enjoy it well that’s 90% of the whole thing right there! 🙂
Congrats, dear Phil,
every day I’m happy if you give me another gorgeous picture of your world of animals.
Thank you♥ and
Happy Anniversary
Thank you very much moni I’m so glad to know you enjoy seeing my views of nature and wildlife!
Most of these would have been my picks as well.
Thanks for checking in Paula and glad you enjoyed these photos!
Happy Anniversary, I remember some of these really well and here’s to a year full of more exciting pictures, Phil
I truly appreciate your visit and kind words D, thanks a bunch!
These are all amazing, Phil! Congratulations on your anniversary! Looking forward to many more of your amazing photography.
Hey great to see you Gracie and I appreciate your very nice words, thanks so much!
I haven’t been a follower for too long, so I think all but one (the kite with the snake) of these photos was new for me. What a wonderful collection you’ve shared. I love the gator trying to eat the croc (lolol), and what is that strange thing it’s trying to eat in the other photo? And the spoonbill apparently attached to the gator’s tail — what an amazing pic!
Thanks very much for your visit and I really appreciate all your very kind comments Deb! Glad to have you around. 😀
That gator did eventually spit out the rubber shoe when he realized it would not be something good to eat, and we went back the next day and got that shoe out of the water.
The other gator had a butterfly ray, similar to a stingray. He caught it in the salt marsh and wanted it badly!
Happy Anniversary Phil!! Enjoyed these highlights very much!! Hard to choose among so many great and interesting images. I really feel you bring to the table not just superior photography, but actions and behaviors up close that very few of us have the chance to see in such beautiful and educational detail!! Thanks for a great year of images and fun!
Wow Judy, thanks a million for those very kind words, it means a lot! I’m so happy you enjoy the photos and also the personal views and interpretations I attempt to present each day. I’m happy to be out in nature and I’m also happy you enjoy what I come back with!
Cheers
Phil
Happy anniversary! It’s a real treat to follow your blog, your pictures are FANTASTIC 😀
Hey thanks very much Calee! I’m very happy you enjoy the photos and stories on my blog here! 🙂
Such amazing photo captures! I like them all, but really like the eagle/osprey interaction…
Well Thanks much Greg I appreciate you looking and commenting and glad you enjoyed that eagle/osprey photo.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, PHIL!!!
As I’ve written many times, your photography and stories bring such happiness to my mother and to me!!! My parents love to go to Huntington Beach State Park, and your photos show them more than they would ever be able to see on their own. Accessing your website is like taking a little trip each day! What fun and what beauty! When we went to HBSP in April, I was thrilled to see your photography on postcards and a sign at the gift shop! I bought a ton of the postcards – some to send and some to keep for myself!
You have an awesome talent for capturing interesting action and your use of lighting is unbelievable. Your stories are terrific – the perfect complement to your photography!
My mother and I have talked about your photos so much that we have an abbreviated way of asking if the other has visited your site on any given day. We say “Did you see Phil today?” LOL!
Somehow I had neglected to tell a fellow nature-lover, Roxanne, about your site. I recently shared it with her, and she said she spent 2 solid hours looking at your work the first time she visited! I’m sure we’ve all done that!!! It is addictive — in a good way!
Thank you for being so generous to share your talent with us, free of charge. Best wishes for many more adventures!!!
Wow Carol, thank you so much for all your very kind comments, it is greatly appreciated! I ‘m so happy you and your mom continue to enjoy the wildlife photos and the stories from the marsh. That is really great to hear about how the two of you have your own special way of checking if you had viewed the blog on any given day, I love hearing that.
I am thrilled to have your support and interest it really adds to the enjoyment I get from watching and photographing nature to know you are out there waiting to see what’s new and next!
Cheers! 😀
When you look collectively like this – you gasp, I see my shimmering egret made it – a wonderful mix of action, drama and artistic interpretation, that said what a window you look through, simply outstanding and I would be happy to recommend your blog sll day long.
Thanks a million for your very kind words Scott I tremendously appreciate your continued interest in my wildlife pics and glad you enjoy the blog.
Reblogged this on photographyofnia.
Thank you for the reblog Nia!
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! You are such a beautiful photographer and your works always fascinate me. This is a great set… You are the One who made me to love Mr.Alligator 🙂 But only in your photography!
Thank you, love, nia
Hi Nia, thank you vey much for all your very nice words about the photos and I am happy you like Mr. Alligator!! 😀
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, PHIL!! I’m so happy for this retrospective as it showed some things I had missed before. You have given us the best wildlife photography on this site and I am sure most of your followers share my opinion. Here is to another exciting year of gators, birds, fish, sunsets and whatever your creative eye decides to share with us :D. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Hey Paula thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful comments it’s greatly appreciated!
It’s great to hear that you enjoy all the photos and stories from the marsh and I’m tremendously happy to see you here as always! 🙂