Salt Marsh Slalom Flight Event

This great blue heron expertly navigates his way through the dry reeds during the final round of the Flight Slalom event at the salt marsh.

If his time holds up, he will be the first blue heron to win the Gold (Fish) in an event where the smaller, lighter, terns and hawks usually dominate!

31 thoughts on “Salt Marsh Slalom Flight Event”

La valise de louise on February 16, 2014 at 12:21 pm said:

Wonderful!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 12:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks for looking and I’m glad you liked this shot.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
janmasyn on February 16, 2014 at 12:22 pm said:

Lovely action shot Phil.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 12:39 pm said:
  
  I’m happy you enjoyed this flight shot Jan.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
anotherday2paradise on February 16, 2014 at 12:24 pm said:

I’m so enjoying your Salt Marsh Olympic events, Phil. The GBH has to be a sure-fire contender for gold. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 12:41 pm said:
  
  The GBHs are really dominating this year, and of course they are not the most modest of birds. Being loud mouths, they generally feel compelled to let the whole world know about their every triumph.
  Looks like we have to wait until the summer Olympics for the alligator events though.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - anotherday2paradise on February 16, 2014 at 12:52 pm said:
    
    I can hardly contain my excitement, Phil. Gladiator alligator trials should be real edge of the seat stuff. 😀
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 1:03 pm said:
      
      Oh and the TV ratings go through the roof for the gator events!!
      Here’s one scene from the last Olympics, it was a real tail, uh I mean nail biter!
      https://phillanoue.com/2012/08/11/race-for-the-gold/
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
foxleylady on February 16, 2014 at 1:33 pm said:

This beautiful shot is definitely worth a gold!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 9:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks Maggie! This boy likes his chances and so do I!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Amy on February 16, 2014 at 2:40 pm said:

It looks like he is determined to win 🙂 What a cool idea to associate your awesome captures with the Olympics, Phil!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 9:49 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you enjoy seeing the various marsh events Amy!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Patrizia M. on February 16, 2014 at 4:37 pm said:

Un vero atleta, wowwww
Splendido scatto Phil
Ciao, Pat

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 9:50 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat! I’m happy you like the photo! 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Garden Walk Garden Talk on February 16, 2014 at 4:56 pm said:

He gets them by a head every time. Judging might be fixed if he does not take the gold.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 9:52 pm said:
  
  I have my suspicions about the egret judges. I suppose they could be just a little biased especially since the blue herons sometimes take their fish. 😀
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Gunta on February 16, 2014 at 5:41 pm said:

Perhaps you’ve been watching a bit too much Sochi? Great shot, though! 😀

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 16, 2014 at 9:56 pm said:
  
  I think the birds are getting carried away with all the attention they have been getting. Once the TV trucks arrived everybody starts acting like a superstar.
  The alligators are the worst during the summer events. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Gunta on February 16, 2014 at 9:59 pm said:
    
    😆
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
shoreacres on February 16, 2014 at 11:09 pm said:

It just amazes me how they can navigate through obstacles like they do. Or perhaps to them they aren’t obstacles. In any event, this is an especially beautiful shot. We’ve warmed up, and there are more birds around than I realized. Everyone’s enjoying the weather, and even the non-competitors are out and about!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 18, 2014 at 2:08 pm said:
  
  These guys sure know what they are doing out there, and I am continually amazed at some of the tight spots they work themselves in and out of.
  Glad things are improving on your end! 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Lyle Krahn on February 17, 2014 at 2:38 am said:

He looks fast! Just curious why he would be going after goldfish:)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 18, 2014 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  They can zip along pretty well when they put their mind to it.
  I never fail to be amazed at some of the things these birds will attempt to eat, including the winning gold fish medal!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
The Dancing Rider on February 17, 2014 at 10:14 am said:

I’m struck by so many of the textures and colors in your shots. He fits in so nicely, even if it is space usually used by smaller birds. Beautiful!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 18, 2014 at 2:12 pm said:
  
  He does do a nice job fitting into and flying around tight spaces.
  Glad you enjoyed this GBH pic!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Scott Marshall on February 18, 2014 at 4:00 pm said:

more of those landscape qualities that I like Phil

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 22, 2014 at 11:29 am said:
  
  I’m happy you enjoyed this Scott, thank you.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
meyer23 on February 19, 2014 at 5:31 pm said:

Stunning… that’s the right word for this pic

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 22, 2014 at 11:29 am said:
  
  Well I appreciate that very much thanks!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Paula on February 20, 2014 at 10:05 am said:

A golden beak finding its way through golden grass 🙂 He looks like a winner!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on February 22, 2014 at 11:29 am said:
  
  He does indeed look like a winner, thanks a million Paula!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓