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.
Happy Bird…Unhappy Fish
Last week there was a great blue heron still fishing in the marsh pond just at sunset. I’m sure the bird was quite happy that he stayed out late in hopes of getting a last minute meal before calling it a night, because that strategy worked out fine. The fish… well not so much. The evening would have gone much better for the fish if the blue heron had quit sooner!
Mr. Alligator’s Morning
Yesterday morning started off quietly enough for our pal Mr. Alligator. He was all settled in on a nice relaxing spot for a pleasant nap and didn’t even mind sharing the space with a cormorant. After the cormorant left though was when the morning started to unravel for our gator friend. Some other alligator had the nerve to purposely do an in your face swim by Mr. Gator’s nap area. This caused our boy to wake up and turn around which was a lot more effort then he had planned for his morning I’m sure. He also felt the need to dramatically show his displeasure at the unauthorized appearance by the intruder. Under normal circumstances, this would have required an active response, which would have included a chase and a stern warning. But as I said…all that would have been a huge effort for Mr. Gator who really just wanted a nice morning nap. So after concluding his display of irritation, he decided it would really just be easier to go back to sleep and try to salvage the rest of the morning.
Anhinga Catches Fish…Flips Fish…Loses Fish
Earlier this week I was watching an anhinga fishing in the marsh pond. As many of you know by now the anhinga is an expert at spearing, flipping, and swallowing fish. They almost never miss…almost. On this day however the anhinga bounced a fish off his head during the swallow portion of the event, and missed out on a nice snack. Nine times out of ten the anhinga makes this catch, but I guess this attempt must have been number ten!
A Cranky Alligator Is No Good For Anybody!
Earlier this week I saw these two alligators in the marsh pond looking like they were about to get very friendly. I figured the one in the foreground was a large male and the other a smaller female. I concluded this due to the fact that they stayed together side by side for a while. If it was two males they would not have gotten along at all, plus this larger one I recognized as being the one who feels he’s “head gator in charge” and his job is normally to patrol the pond and chase off all the smaller male rivals. I waited for a bit to see if there would be a love connection but possibly she was not in the mood because she just suddenly swam off to the side leaving our boy frustrated and alone.
At first he seemed to take the rejection well…he simply continued on in a leisurely float across the pond. But I quickly noticed that the big guy had stopped and seemed to be lifting his head up out of the water. Once he got his head all the way up he let out a loud bellow with a deep bass sound that could be heard across the marsh. So…apparently he was not too pleased with how his morning was going and with him in that kind of mood, it will be nothing but bad news for all the other alligators who might have been looking forward to a calm, stress free day!
One Year Anniversary
I have recently reached the one year anniversary of my wildlife photo blog here on Word Press. When I started this back in June 2012 I had no idea if anyone would ever look at it. Now, one year later, I am thrilled to have so many wonderful folks checking in to view my photos and write such kind, thoughtful comments. I greatly appreciate all the interest and support you all have shown me over this these past 12 months, and I value each and every one of you tremendously. Every time I head out to watch and photograph the various wildlife in our area I always think of you folks and try to come back with some pictures and maybe a story that hopefully everyone will enjoy. So often you tell me that you do, and that really keeps me going back out there and adds to the pleasure I feel from being in nature.
For today’s post I went back over the past year and pulled out a few of my favorite photos and, I hope, some of yours as well. These are presented starting with the earliest posts first, leading up to the most recent. Some of these you may remember and some of you may be seeing them for the very first time. Either way I hope you enjoy these and I once again thank you for being there for me!
Phil
Gator vs Croc
Anhinga With Fish
Spoonbill Picks Up Alligator Tail
Great Blue Heron At Sunset
Alligator With Butterfly Ray
Osprey Shaking Off Water
Eagle Chasing Osprey
Bald Eagle Fishing In The Marsh
Great Egret Mid Air Battle
Bald Eagles Canoodling
Brown Pelican Bathing
Swallow-tailed Kite With Snake
Egret Fishing Close…Too Close
Last week I was watching this egret walking along the side of the marsh pond close to where I was standing when it suddenly struck at the water and came up with a fish. Often the issue is that the wildlife action takes place a bit too far away to get decent shots, but in this case the egret was too close. I couldn’t fit the top of the bird’s head and the bottom of the fish in my frame and I didn’t have time to back up before it gulped down the fish. Well…I suppose I shouldn’t complain, earlier in the week I spent an entire frustrating morning where nothing came close to my location!
Skimmers Working The Marsh
Earlier this week I saw these two black skimmers show up and do one fast pass across the marsh then that was it, as quickly as they arrived, they were gone. However I am always thrilled to see these amazing birds in action, even if it’s only for a quick visit on the way to their next location…
Just A Quick Morning Walk
This morning we saw our old pal Mr. Gator come walking out of the brush along side the far edge of the marsh pond. He was on his way to the swamp which is only a brief walk across a path that separates the two areas. Apparently his plan was to spend the day relaxing in the swamp after an active night doing who knows what!
The video was taken with an iPhone set up at a low angle while I took the still photo with my regular camera.
Phil Lanoue Photography 