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.
Test Post…
Just using this late evening flight shot of an egret from this past weekend as a test. Starting yesterday my new blog posts were not showing up in WP Readers and no one was getting email or other notifications.
Testing to see if this situation continues today…
Well That’s Just Not Fair!
So now they are hiding in trees?!? Bad enough I have to watch my step, but now I also have remember to look up when walking around out there?! Peering past a tree in the swamp recently and guess who I see perched up on some reeds and brush? Yes indeed it’s our old pal Mr. Gator who happens to be blending in quite nicely I might add. What a sneak!
Don’t Give Me That Cute, Innocent Look!
A few days ago I was watching this alligator splashing around in the marsh trying to get the fish all stirred up so that he could munch down on a bunch of them. He did not come up with anything after this huge lunge and splash, but notice how in the very next frame he quickly turned himself around and gives me this coy, bashful look?! It’s almost as if he was saying…Who? What? Me? Oh I was just splashing around having a bit of fun and certainly not trying to scoop up all the nice little fishies or anything like that.”
With that expression on his face it’s tempting to believe him but we all know better, don’t we?!
Last Fish Of The Night
Earlier this week I was watching this great blue heron fishing at the edge of the marsh pond just prior to sunset. The heron was back lit by the setting sun which cast a yellow hue on the water, and on the fish. After catching this fish the great blue was ready to call it a night. The alligators will remain out there however, since they don’t mind hunting in the dark!
Marsh Skimmers
As promised earlier this week, here are some additional photos from when the black skimmer visited the marsh. Lit by evening setting sunlight, the skimmer put on an excellent show as it rapidly zipped along the salt marsh. Skimmers are really amazing birds and I am always excited to watch and photograph them as they ‘work’ the area skimming the water for fish.
A Visit To The Seafood Buffet
Yesterday evening I was watching this alligator that had gone over into the salt marsh in search of a meal. The alligators don’t live in salt water but they will visit on occasion if they get bored with the usual menu items available in the pond and swamp. The only thing I have never figured out was how do they know when it’s low tide in the salt marsh?
In any case, this guy must have had a craving for some fresh blue crab because he spent a good amount of time stalking around in there and did successfully find himself a few. He sure looks very satisfied and pleased with himself in that last photo, so clearly he was very happy with his evening dining choice!
He must have still been rather hungry though, because by the time I left it was dark and he was still sloshing around trying to stir up desert!
A Tale Of Two Ibis
I was happy to see a pair of juvenile white ibis feeding in the salt marsh at low tide yesterday evening. The ibis are always entertaining and amusing to watch as they confidently march about the area frequently stopping to pick around in and among the oyster beds with their long curved bills. The ibis typically feed on minnows, glass shrimp and small marine crustaceans such as these crabs. These are juvenile white ibis which you can tell by their brown and white mottled plumage, as they age they will turn into all white adults with bright blue eyes. These youngsters eyes are just starting to turn from brown into that blue.
Of course many of you are wondering if there were any alligators out last night. Yes indeed there were and I came very close to stepping on one’s nose. But that’s a story for another day!
Sunset At The Marsh
Yesterday evening prior to sunset we were watching this great blue heron fishing in the marsh pond. The sun was starting to go down and the heron was lit by the warm early evening light as he caught a fish. About half an hour later I went around to the other side of him and took this photo as he was silhouetted by the setting sun reflecting off the pond.
And I know what you are all thinking… wasn’t there any alligators floating around there in the warm evening light? Well of course there was!
Phil Lanoue Photography 