Phil Lanoue Photography

Well I Guess These Terned Out OK

Earlier this week I was watching Forster’s Terns fishing in the salt marsh. These birds are likely the most challenging subject I photograph. Forster’s Terns fly EXTREMELY fast! They will occasionally hover over a spot searching for a fish but then go into a very rapid headfirst dive if they see one. They also jet around in random zig zag patterns which can easily make my head spin trying to follow them and hopefully get one in the frame and in focus. I am constantly switching back and forth between finding one in the air with my own eyes, then trying to reacquire it in the camera, then trying to keep up with it as it zips along, then attempting to take the picture at the right moment and…well you get the idea. It can indeed be frustrating but also can be rewarding if I ever do succeed in catching one in action and especially with a fish in it’s mouth as the real bonus!

Other then their super fast flying style they are quite pretty and interesting birds. Notice their long forked tails and the silver/grey ‘frosting’ on their wings. They also frequently fly with their head’s pointed down toward the water, always in search of a meal. As opposed to gulls, these terns do not linger or swim in the water, it’s a quick in and a quick out then back to work in the air!

“He Thinks He’s So Big And Tough”

This morning I was amused to see these two snowy egrets standing quietly in the salt marsh during low tide as a great blue heron marched by in front of them. The poor little snowys were doing their best trying to look confident and self-assured as the much larger heron strolled along…but I thought they looked just a bit nervous and intimidated. The blue heron of course pays them no mind as he has the important business of catching fish to occupy his attention and the snowys are no competition for this big guy!

Afternoon Ospreys

Yesterday afternoon there were three ospreys circling around above the marsh in a bright blue sky mixed with huge fluffy white clouds. I never saw a single one catch a fish. In fact, among the various egrets, great blue herons, pelicans and cormorants, I didn’t see anybody catching fish. Well, except for the super fast forster’s terns that were quickly zipping by and diving down to scoop up some sort of little green fish. The tide was going out and I suspect that all the fish had already moved on out with the tide leaving behind a disappointed group including these ospreys.

Just Passing By

This afternoon in the salt marsh an egret was marching purposefully along as it hunted for fish. At one point it passed by this brown pelican who had been fishing but was taking a break at the moment. Notice how the two birds totally ignore each other and never even change expression. But then again…it may have been more a case of the egret snubbing the pelican since the egret has likely lost fish to him and is not feeling particularly friendly.

March Flights

In keeping with the tradition I started last summer of posting various bird flight photos for the month that had not otherwise been previously posted…here’s a group for March!

Bald Eagle

Brown Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Juvenile Night Heron

Roseate Spoonbill

Snowy Egret

Tricolored Heron

Wood Stork

Shipping Lanes

This morning we went over to check out the swamp and see if any alligators were out and if they were finding places to settle in and enjoy their daily nap. Several were cruising around looking like large ocean going vessels looking for a new port to dock in after the wind storm blew their island around.

At this point in the morning the sun had not yet broken through and the grey overcast sky combined with no breeze gave the water a flat glassy appearance.

Elegant Visiter

For the past week or so there has been a Mute Swan hanging around in the marsh pond. At first we thought it might be injured and couldn’t fly but it seems to be in good shape and apparently likes the area and is happy to be picking at all the various vegetation found throughout the pond.

When we first arrived in the late afternoon I saw the swan floating in among the sparkling water which was created by the backlit sunshine. We then moved around to the other side to get some photos of the swan in more normal light. Two hours later, as we were leaving, I stopped to grab a shot with the swan silhouetted by the warm light of the now setting sun.

Lady Of The Lake

Well actually she is the lady of the ‘pond’. Yesterday morning I was checking out the marsh pond when I saw this female Red-breasted Merganser come floating into view. Mergansers are diving ducks that would normally be seen here in winter, and we would be more likely to see the Hooded Merganser then this Red-breasted. So I was doubly and delightfully surprised to see this lady gliding along in the pond. Notice the dark eyeliner around her eyes, she appears quite fashionably made up!