Phil Lanoue Photography
I previously worked as a news and sports photographer. Recently I have been enjoying wildlife photography. My approach toward bird photos is similar to sports photography. I attempt to capture mostly action and hopefully a unique perspective.
The Jump Off!
Here is the continuation of our bald eagle friend from yesterday… Once I saw that ‘look’, I knew he was likely ready to jump out of the tree and take off flying and that’s exactly what he did. Right after he cleared the tree the eagle swooped low and banked right flying right in front of me. In fact, he was so close I couldn’t fit all of him in my lens!
His next move was to do a wide circle over the marsh pond where just for laughs he buzzed a group of coots which were minding their own business at the far back edge of the pond. This naturally sent the coots scattering in a full blown panic. The eagle did not even attempt to grab a coot he just wanted to give them a hard time…which he is well known for doing! From there he flew up over the tree line and back across the salt marsh to go land in his favorite tall perch along the far side of the marsh.
A Scratch, A Fluff, And He’s Ready!
Yesterday afternoon I was watching this bald eagle that was sitting in a pine tree along side the salt marsh. At first he was mostly just looking around surveying the scene with an excellent view from high atop his perch. Quickly though the eagle began to get a bit restless, he scratched, he fluffed, and then I knew he was ready… but for what?
Tune in tomorrow to see what the eagle did next. 🙂
A Little Late Fishing
Late this afternoon, just as we were leaving the marsh pond, this juvenile brown pelican showed up for some end of day fishing. Brown pelicans, unlike the white pelicans, are not very graceful birds. Their fishing technique basically consists of a crash into the water then a scoop up of whatever was hopefully trapped in that large throat pouch.
We saw this youngster snag a few fish before it headed off toward the beach for the evening.
Odd Couple
This afternoon I was quite surprised to see a night heron standing on the edge of the marsh pond. I don’t normally see night herons at this time of day, and I also don’t usually see one just standing out in the open like this.
A white ibis joined the heron a short time later and clearly the night heron was not at all pleased about having to share his spot with an ibis…in fact he seemed a bit grumpy about it! Now I thought the ibis looked like a very nice, well behaved bird, but what do I know? Once the ibis moved off, the mood of the night heron seemed to improve although I do have to admit it is kind of tough to tell. 🙂
Sticks The Landing
Earlier this week I followed this egret as it flew in low just over the marsh reeds which were lit by warm setting sunlight. I was extremely impressed by the perfect landing plus I particularly liked those fluffed up neck and chest feathers at the end! 🙂
In A Hurry
Seeing this cormorant burst up out of the salt marsh like his tail was on fire indicated to me that he had someplace important to be and needed to get there immediately!
Happy New Year! A Look Back At 2013
Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2014!!! I greatly appreciate your interest and support of my wildlife photos and have been thrilled with all the amazing comments so many of you have made on this blog. Thank you all!
I’ve selected one photo from each month in 2013 as a sort of retrospective look at life in the marsh over the past year….I hope you enjoy them!
January – Egrets Battle in the Marsh
February – Bald Eagle Pair in Pine Tree
March – Brown Pelican Bathing in Salt Marsh
April – Forster’s Tern With Fish
May – Black Skimmer Working the Marsh
June – Anhinga Fishing in the Marsh Pond
July – Woody Catches Two…Looses One
August – Mr. Cranky Meets His Match!
September – Spoonbill Preening in Marsh Pond
October – Great Blue Herons’ Mid Air Battle
November – Osprey Wet and Disgusted…
December – American White Pelicans in the Marsh Pond
Early Evening In The Salt Marsh
As the sun was going down yesterday evening there was just this one great egret still fishing in the salt marsh. We saw the egret catch only a few tiny minnows…so it’s possible he might have gone to bed with only a snack for his supper!
Phil Lanoue Photography 