Phil Lanoue Photography

Just Passing By

Earlier this week I looked up just in time to see this white ibis come flying in from back in the salt marsh. I managed to click off one frame and one frame only, and this was it. Looking at the photo later I was taken by the elegant simplicity of the scene, combined with the peculiar yet extraordinary look of the bird. With that impossible long curved orange bill, bright blue eyes, and large white wings with black tips, the ibis is indeed a wonder of nature.

I often see ibis quietly going about their daily business but it’s worthwhile I feel to stop occasionally and take a moment to notice and enjoy the unique and interesting wildlife that can be found in nature.

Full Steam Ahead!

I went over to the swamp yesterday with the idea of looking for alligators and although I did see mom and a couple of her babies, they were tucked back deep in the reeds and were clearly not planning to make themselves available for photo ops.

As usual, there were quite a few coots out picking at the various aquatic vegetation not bothering anyone at all. However, I did take notice of this one coot that was floating quietly and basically minding it’s own business because I also saw that another coot was approaching rapidly from the side. I knew the first coot immediately noticed the advancing intruder because it whipped it’s head around to the left as the second coot came blasting in.

This bird was really moving and went into full pursuit mode in what I suspect was a territorial dispute. He launched himself up and out in a flying run across the water, and with a huge splash and managed to chase off his competitor who can be seen in the very bottom of the last photo as it rapidly departs the area.

An Hour In The Life Of An Egret

Earlier this week I spent about an hour watching an egret go about it’s business in among the oyster beds in the salt marsh during low tide. It was an active hour for the bird too…

He plucked out a nice fish for himself.

Made sure he looked all spiffy.

Had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over by a passing great blue heron.

A typical action packed afternoon for one of the large wading birds in the marsh!

American Mink

This morning I went up the beach to the north jetty area and was not there too long when this wet mink popped out from among the rocks and gave me a good looking over.

Right away it jumped back down and I knew it was scurrying along the jetty somewhere under the rocks. A short time later I saw the cute little guy briefly pop back up, sniff the air a few times, take another look at me, and then disappear back behind the rocks. I waited for a while hoping he would reappear and maybe jump in the water and grab a fish. I never did see the mink again but now that I know he is in that general area I will be sure to make a return visit and hopefully catch another sighting of the exceptionally cute mink!

Nice Day For A Swim

Peering through the reeds at the edge of the swamp earlier this week, who should I see gliding by in the water but our old pal Mr. A!

Yes he was out taking advantage of the unseasonably warm temps we had here along the coast of South Carolina while much of the United States was suffering with a deep freeze.

After cruising over briefly to say hello, my alligator friend turned and glided away… no doubt on his way to finding a nice comfy spot to nap and soak up a little December sunshine.

A Couple Of Jokers

Here are a few from of the hit cartoon series starring the always hilarious hooded mergansers! These two look like they’re telling jokes and they must be really funny ones because they sure seem to be cracking each other up. 🙂

You just have to love the hoodies!

Look Who Terned Out Today

This morning I was watching some Forster’s Terns swooping and diving around the salt marsh. These birds are one of the most (quite possibly *the* most) challenging bird in flight subjects I will ever photograph. Forster’s Terns are small, VERY fast and erratic flyers. They somehow seem to be able to move quickly in any direction instantly, and then dart away or dive down with no predictable pattern. Plus this morning we had a stiff wind blowing out across the marsh which made trying to follow focus one of these tiny jets extremely difficult as they got blown about.

They often fly with their heads facing down looking for a fish that can be snatched from the water with a speedy dive . Here, one emerges from the water, flies out across the marsh, then shakes itself off before zipping back out to action once again. I was close to being dizzy by the time I left. 🙂

Hoodies!

Well it’s that time of year again as winter approaches and the ducks start moving into our area. My favorite of all the ducks are the hooded mergansers. To me, they look like a cartoon character or somebody’s idea of a comical creature from another world. Plus, the males are just so darn cute especially when they pop up their white head crest. Sometimes they bob up their entire head and fan out that crest at the same time which can appear quite humorous.

The female merganser, seen along with her boyfriend in the fourth photo, has what I have often heard described as ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ hair. They are indeed quite the pair and the always amusing hoodies never fail to entertain. 🙂

I took quite a few photos of them going about their business today in a nearby pond so you all will likely be seeing more hoodie pics as the week goes on!