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.
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!
Out Early
Last week I was patrolling around one of the marsh ponds during the morning when I heard an unusual but familiar squawking sound coming from the trees. Suddenly this young black crowned night heron surprised me by flying out and across the pond. What was unusual and surprising is that, as their name implies, the night herons are much more likely to be active and flying at dusk then in morning. They normally spend their days relaxing in trees or among the marsh reeds. But this one apparently had an early appointment and needed to get a move on!
Into The Light
During the past weekend I photographed this great blue heron as it left the darker side of the marsh pond and flew into a brighter section. The fishing will be better on the sunny side of the pond because the heron will find it much easier to spot the fish swimming around in the well lit area of the water.
This one is also entering into breeding plumage as it is starting to get the bright blue lores in front of it’s eyes which is a telltale sign.
Not A Happy Morning
This morning we went over to the swamp because it was very windy here all day Sunday and we wanted to see if the floating island where a lot of the alligators live in and around had moved. Well…not only was the island blown across the swamp, it seemed to have broken into two or three segments and those were somewhat scattered in a near corner at one end of the swamp. We wondered how the alligators would be affected by suddenly having their home and territory completely changed. We soon found out. There were several gators cruising around in circles in what was now water, but used to be the site of where they would often spend their day napping and likely slept at night. Several of the larger ones were out and they did not look too pleased. At one point this big guy came cruising in to try to find a new spot where he could possibly nap in the sun. He did not look happy at all.
It hard to tell size when they are in the water, so that’s why I included this third shot where he came climbing out to find a place in the weeds to lay down. Even though he turned away from me and you can mostly only see the back of his head, I think you can get an idea of how huge this guy is. It’s almost hard to tell what you are looking at. It looks like anything form a prehistoric T Rex head, to a large chuck of granite. This boy was big!
Phil Lanoue Photography 