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 Big Guns Were Out!
Yesterday late afternoon we had some thunder storms with heavy rain move into our area. By evening the storms had blown by and we decided to go check out the marsh pond specifically to see if any alligators might be out. We know that frequently after a rain, alligators will come out because they like to swim around in the newly freshened pond with a higher water level due to the rain.
Well not only were some out but the BIG boys were out! The heavy artillery, the big guns, the battleships, whatever you want to call them they were out and swimming all over the pond area. Most of you have seen me post photos of the babies recently (we refer to any alligator 5 feet and under as a “baby”) but the youngsters were nowhere to be seen. It was adult swim with no kids allowed last night!
“‘Gator, what ‘Gator…?”
Oh, THAT ‘gator! Last week we saw this snowy egret picking around in the marsh pond under close watch by our pal Mr. Alligator. In the first two photos snowball is just paying attention to the little fish in the water and not at all to his surroundings. By the third photo it looks like he spotted Mr. A, and snaps his head back to attention as seen in the last photo. So what happened? Well Mr. A just continued on with his lazy glide across the pond expressing no further interest in the little snowy who was now joined by his friend the tricolored heron. And everyone lived happily ever after. 🙂
“I’m Hot…I’m Tired…Don’t Bother Me”
The weather is really starting to heat up here along the South Carolina coast and even the animals are beginning to feel it. This young alligator in the marsh pond yesterday dozed off right in the middle of swimming, so even the water is already too warm! He had been gliding along sort of hunting for food, but then suddenly just quit and shut it off. It’s like the poor little guy’s batteries just wore down. Plus he had that look that I took to mean everybody is better off just leaving him alone…
Morning Activity In The Marsh Pond
There was some bird and alligator activity this morning in the marsh pond, and even though it was out a good distance, I had to grab a few shots of the ‘action’. A group of white ibis were paying only token attention to a little alligator that was feeding in the area. The two ibis on the left however paid no attention at all to the gator as it went back and forth behind them…they simply continued on with their naps.
About ten minutes later most of the ibis had flown off but a spoonbill arrived to join the remaining two. They kept a bit of an eye on the alligator as it continued to work the area for fish, but once it started to move off, the spoonbill and ibis went right back to their own feeding!
All Kids Love To Play In The Water!
It seems to be a universal concept with kids everywhere, all over the world… they love to play and splash around in the water! And what kid can resist jumping in a mud puddle?! This young alligator last night looked to be having a great time sloshing all around in the marsh. Of course for him it was less play and more eat, but the concepts are similar I think. 🙂 And then naturally, after a kid is done jumping around in the muddy water, he curls up a bit, puts on an innocent look and checks to see if he is in trouble for his youthful indiscretions!
Watching And Waiting
This alligator in the marsh at sunset was the epitome of patience as he floated motionless… watching and waiting. But for what? Or for whom? He outwaited me so we will never know for sure…
Exploding Ibis
What initially caught my attention about this ibis in the salt marsh Wednesday evening was it’s especially bright reddish/orange face and legs. The adult white ibis will get a red face and legs but not normally this red. I was watching it cruise around picking up small crabs and knocking them back like popcorn when it suddenly stepped off the mud, into the water and practically exploded! Actually they will do a feather fluff up on occasion as part of their preening ritual, but this ibis really got a bit extreme!
Well He Looks Hungry
Recently I was watching this alligator actively splashing around in the marsh trying to stir up fish and crabs for his dinner. From the looks of things I’m guessing he was rather hungry and…it’s turning into a bad night to be a fish or crab out there for sure!
Phil Lanoue Photography 