Phil Lanoue Photography

Coming In Low And Fast

Last week I was watching this osprey as it hunted for fish above the marsh pond. Often the osprey will dive almost straight down feet first into the water in it’s attempt to snag a fish. This one though, tried a slightly different technique…coming in low and fast just above the surface of the water torpedo bomber style.

By the time the osprey came out of the water and I managed to catch back up with the bird as it was gaining altitude further across the pond… I could see it caught no fish on this attempt. Still, the technique appeared to be a solid method that I’m sure will result in many successful catches for this amazing bird of prey.

Sometimes It’s Best To Just Move…

Earlier this week our pink spoonbill friend was feeding in the salt marsh at low tide and minding his own business. There were other birds in the area as well, which is typical, and they all mostly get along and try not to get in each other’s way. But at one point spoonie encountered a snowy egret that apparently decided it would not step aside as the spoonbill passed by in the shallow water, and felt the need to get all fluffed up about it. This did not go over well with spoonie at all and he proceeded to explain to snowball that he just better get out of the way if he knows what’s good for him. The snowy got the message and not only got out of spoonie’s way, but left the area entirely!

Count The Alligators

This morning I was quite surprised to see a good size group of alligators all enjoying a quiet nap together. I don’t normally see alligators getting along with each other all that well, and I certainly don’t normally see a large group practically laying on top of one another with no huge arguments breaking out!

I watched them for almost an hour and they would move around a bit, stretch and lift up their heads on occasion, and that was the extent of the activity. They all pretty much stayed in their designated spot the entire time until one finally decided it was too crowded and felt the need to leave the group. Naturally the only way you can do that is to rudely walk right across your friend’s back.

So how many alligators can you count?

Mr. Alligator’s Big Dinner

Earlier this week I was walking along the edge of the marsh pond when I saw our friend Mr. A strike at the water and come up with a good size fish. After a few crunches, the fish was down the hatch and he enjoyed a nice evening meal!

White Pelicans

The past two days we have been thrilled with a large group of American White Pelicans that decided to make a stopover in the marsh pond. We counted 28 of these amazing large birds and the last time we saw even one was December 2012.

In the first group photo you can see our pal Mr. A gliding by near the two wood storks on the right. In the last group photo, even though they are quite far off, you should be able to make out a roseate spoonbill coming in for a landing in among a group of these pelicans. We hope they plan to stick around but it’s quite possible our marsh is just a temporary rest stop on their way to the next location…

White Pelicans

Who Likes A Rainy Day?

Well it turns out that our pal Mr. A loves a rainy day! The falling rain water we got this afternoon will freshen up his pond and make swimming around so much more pleasant. You can even tell by these photos… In the first two when he was coming over to greet me, he looks a little grumpy. But then 10 minutes later when it started to rain you can see how happy he looks gliding along as the rain drops fall around him! 🙂

Walking The Runway

Last night this roseate spoonbill put on a heck of a show in the salt marsh at low tide which was lit by warm setting sunlight. It suddenly decided to walk, well actually prance, out of a shallow stream of water and out toward me near the oyster beds.

The spoonie looked and acted like a fashion model doing a photo shoot on a runway, and what an extravagant display it was! As soon as I took this last photo, the show was over and the spoonbill walked right back into the water and continued feeding. I have never seen anything quite like this before!

Well…They Almost Got Along…

We had a pretty good crowd in the salt marsh last night including two spoonbills and several snowy egrets along with a few ibis. At one point a snowy was standing there watching as a spoonbill came closer to his fishing spot. I thought things might go OK until spoonie went over and gave snowball a little shove. I expected a full scale battle to begin but quickly they both found something that interested them and prevented (at least temporarily) any altercations from escalating. But when spoonie turned back and began to continue to encroach on the snowy’s area, that was all it took as snowball decided he had enough and left for greener pastures, or less crowded water.

About an hour later spoonie and a different snowy really went at it and I do have photos of that exchange which will be a post for another day. 🙂