This Marsh Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us

As best as I can tell, from my observations snowy egrets must spend approximately 60% of their lives fussing and squabbling with one another. Snowys get along just fine with the other wading birds such as ibis and herons, but put more then one snowy in the same location and they are incapable of behaving themselves. Even though there is plenty of room for many snowys to each have their own spot to feed in, they always want the place the other guy is currently fishing.

Such was the case with this pair in the salt marsh recently. One guy has to come in and jump the other guy for no apparent reason other then that’s what they do…that’s what snowy egrets always do.

44 thoughts on “This Marsh Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us”

Gracie on February 11, 2014 at 4:35 pm said:

Awesome captures, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 4:53 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks Gracie!
  
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Victor Rakmil on February 11, 2014 at 4:37 pm said:

Wonderful sequence. Priceless shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 4:54 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you checking them out, thank you!
  
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  - Victor Rakmil on February 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm said:
    
    I try never to miss your posts!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 4:58 pm said:
      
      Well that’s makes me feel great! Thanks!
      
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photoph30 on February 11, 2014 at 4:40 pm said:

Superbe scène !

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- Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 4:55 pm said:
  
  Je suis très heureux que vous avez aimé ces photographies!
  
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janmasyn on February 11, 2014 at 4:43 pm said:

Great action shots Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks for looking Jan and I’m glad you liked these shots.
  
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Patrizia M. on February 11, 2014 at 4:54 pm said:

Super fantastiche caro Phil, che foto emozionanti!!
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 4:57 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat!
  Sono molto felice di aver apprezzato queste foto!
  
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Scott Marshall on February 11, 2014 at 5:54 pm said:

blimey what a sequence – how many times have I said that but the action between the 2 egrets demands a 2nd and 3rd look 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on February 11, 2014 at 5:58 pm said:
  
  I appreciate that very much Scott, thanks much. These guys make my job easy when they go at it like that and it’s always fun to watch and photograph them.
  
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  - Scott Marshall on February 11, 2014 at 6:01 pm said:
    
    I think the unbelievably striking white really adds to the impact of the action
    
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babsje on February 11, 2014 at 6:00 pm said:

Yikes! This is great, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:43 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked them! 😀
  
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Alison Martin on February 11, 2014 at 6:43 pm said:

I look at your posts every day, and this sequence is especially great! I just love the “wild hair” that punctuates the high emotion they have going.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:43 pm said:
  
  These guys never fail to entertain with their wild antics!
  
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Gunta on February 11, 2014 at 7:46 pm said:

That “hair” standing on end is brilliant and comical at the same time…. it totally adds to the action. This sequence makes me think of some folks who seem to always have some soap opera going in their lives. If life gets too calm or boring, they go out of their way to create trouble.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:45 pm said:
  
  That’s a very good analogy, these snowballs are always creating drama!
  Just getting around to responding to comments, I spent all of yesterday in the hospital ER. It’s been a bad month.
  
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Bella Remy Photography on February 11, 2014 at 7:53 pm said:

Absolutely gorgeous images Phil ! Breeding season has begun. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed these snowballs!
  Just getting around to responding to comments, I spent all of yesterday in the hospital ER. It’s been a bad month.
  
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  - Bella Remy Photography on February 13, 2014 at 9:15 pm said:
    
    Oh I hope you were there for yourself. If you’re back, that a good sign. I certainly hope things get better for you.
    
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Jane Lurie on February 11, 2014 at 8:19 pm said:

Excellent action shots, Phil. Drama on the marsh.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:47 pm said:
  
  Thank you Jane and yes indeed high drama at the marsh! 😯
  
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dinajohnston on February 11, 2014 at 9:00 pm said:

That is some serious action freeze! Nice details in their faces.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:47 pm said:
  
  These guys always seem to be up to something and it’s never a dull moment when they are around.
  
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Littlesundog on February 11, 2014 at 9:20 pm said:

Phil, this series is most excellent! Wow! What drama!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you, it’s great to know you liked these snowy squabbles!
  
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anotherday2paradise on February 11, 2014 at 9:53 pm said:

Yes, they are quite naughty little chaps. I see them having the occasional skirmish here too. 🙂 Great captures as always, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:45 pm said:
  
  You know how these guys are, why behave when it’s much more fun to fight?! 😀
  Just getting around to responding to comments, I spent all of yesterday in the hospital ER. It’s been a bad month.
  
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  - anotherday2paradise on February 13, 2014 at 9:40 pm said:
    
    So sorry to hear that, Phil. Hope you’re okay.
    
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Chillbrook on February 12, 2014 at 9:07 am said:

Some very angry birds! You gotta smile.. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:49 pm said:
  
  They do bring out a smile, they are so entertaining. Well, at least for us, not sure how much fun they are having. 😀
  
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Amy on February 12, 2014 at 10:16 am said:

Another awesome series, Phil! Are they teens? 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm said:
  
  One thing about snowys…they are never too old or too young to fuss and squabble with one another. 😀
  
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foxleylady on February 12, 2014 at 1:31 pm said:

Quarrelsome, yes, but don’t they look lovely when they’re cross!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm said:
  
  They always manage to look good even when fighting. Such funny little guys!
  
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Lyle Krahn on February 13, 2014 at 1:23 am said:

I loved the action – so intense their feet are even splayed.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm said:
  
  I usually try to pick out the one that appears to be the most feisty, then wait for the action to start!
  
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absengeralois on February 13, 2014 at 1:03 pm said:

Excellent!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for looking and commenting!
  
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Stefano on March 19, 2014 at 6:13 pm said:

What a great action sequence, Phil! Great job!

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