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.
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!
Snagged One!
Yesterday evening I was watching this green heron fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. Green herons are small, stocky birds that slowly stalk the edges of ponds and marshes searching for minnows and shrimp. They will elongate their necks when striking out for a fish, then compact themselves again to eat their catch. This little heron was doing a fine job last night as I saw it catch quite a few fish!
I Knew This Guy Was Up To Something…
Yesterday evening I observed this alligator behaving in a suspicious manner in the marsh pond. At first he just came floating in, but then started doing this odd zig- zag pattern while staring at the side of the pond near where I was standing. I suspected he was scoping out the situation and sure enough he was…
Within a very short amount of time he very slowly and stealthily climbed up the bank of the pond and stuck his nose out from the brush to take a peek around. Then he decided to take a little stroll over to the other side where he climbed down along the rocks. Occasionally they get this sneaky sort of look and you know they are up to something!
Last Gasp
Last week I was watching this great blue heron doing some late evening fishing in the marsh pond. At one point he struck at the water and came up with a fish who’s last gasp of life we see here prior to heading down the heron’s throat. Kind of sad for the poor fish but so it goes in nature, the birds need to eat in order to survive and propagate their species.
Phil Lanoue Photography 