Phil Lanoue Photography

Radar’s Big Score!

Some of you may remember seeing our pal “Radar” in previous posts here. That is the name we have given the great egret that has a transmitter pack attached to his back with two antennas sticking out. Apparently Radar is part of a study of migratory habits of wading birds such as egrets. However, since we frequently see Radar and know he does not travel around all that much, we’re not sure if he provides a lot of useful information!

Yesterday afternoon we were actually hoping the bald eagle pair would make an appearance, but we only saw one in a far off tree across the marsh and it never flew in close. Radar, however, was in close and he was actively fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. We can always tell when he is on to a fish because he gets all excited and does some amusing dance steps over to where he sees the fish. So when he began his dance routine, we were fairly sure he spotted something and turns out he sure did! Radar plucked himself a nice fish out of the marsh and after doing a short flight hop over to the near edge, he quickly swallowed down his catch. In the last photo you can see how just a small bit of the fish’s tail fin is visible as Radar’s throat and neck expands to fit his meal.

Radar did not move for 20 minutes after getting down that fish. But then soon after he went right back to fishing. We only saw him grab tiny fish and shrimp though after dining on his main course…after dinner snacks!

Just Thought I’d Drop In

Last week I saw this alligator relaxing on a mud bog in the swamp and I quickly noticed he had company. It was funny to see the gator completely ignore this turtle as it lumbered up along side the alligator and picked out a nice spot in the sun. This was not the largest alligator in the swamp but it was big enough and it gives you an idea of how huge this turtle was! Just a couple of friends enjoying a sunny day and basking in the sun!

Trouble In Paradise?…

Yesterday afternoon I looked across the marsh and saw a bald eagle land in a pine tree at the far end. Within minutes I saw another eagle come in from the other direction and land in the same tree. I knew it had to be our resident mated pair so I quickly headed over to check them out. I noticed that the first arrival was the male and he was on the back edge of the tree, while Mrs. Eagle was on the front side, so they were not sitting together as I had seen this past weekend.

I watched them for only about five minutes and saw the male kind of peak around a branch and glance at his mate. Then he turned, crouched down a bit and took off flying across the marsh, beyond the trees and eventually out of sight. I thought she would immediately follow him but she stayed put on her branch.

She remained in that spot for well over an hour occasionally calling out. It is unknown if she was calling for her mate or for another purpose, but he never showed up again. I thought perhaps she was waiting for him to return with a nice fresh caught fish as peace offering but he did not.

Eventually she left the tree as well and as she was flying over the marsh I could see she was looking down apparently in hunt mode. So if Mr. Eagle was supposed to return with food he failed and she seemed to realize she would be on her own for dinner.

All Fluffed Up…

Snowy Egrets can often be quite entertaining to watch and photograph. They are easily excitable and will fluff themselves up whenever they get annoyed which seems to frequently be the case. In the next to last picture that snowy looks like it practically exploded…although his friends do not seem at all impressed. I think that aggravates them even more, to go through all that effort and then be ignored is not the expected and hoped for reaction!

Tree Top Canoodling

As you know, we have a mated pair of bald eagles that have been regularly in attendance around the marsh area for several weeks. Yesterday morning I was set up and watching the male of the pair when who should suddenly come swooping in but the lovely Mrs. Eagle. She landed on the branch next to him and they seemed extremely happy and excited to be together. They began calling loudly and then started touching beaks and nipping at each other’s necks. At one point Mrs. Eagle was rubbing her face against his back and shoulder. They continued calling and acting quite animated before finally settling down but continued to make eyes at one another.

After a short while it was apparently time to leave and she left first, launching herself off the branch and surprising me by swooping so low that she jumped right out of my frame. Seconds later it was Mr. Eagle’s turn and he also jumped off and flew out after his mate. It was a fun and exciting event to witness!

Morning Swim

Yesterday morning I saw this big boy out for a leisurely glide in the marsh pond. The grey overcast sky with no breeze gave the water a glassy appearance.

Normally there would not be any alligators in the pond at this time of year. Our boy here though must believe Spring is on the way and wanted to get an early start!

I Know I’m Not The Most Interesting Person But Jeez…

Well looks like I’m even boring the eagles now. This one took a look at me today and gave me a big yawn. Jeez. Guess I need to try to be more exciting…

Stolen Treasure

I saw this great egret pluck a fish out of the salt marsh yesterday afternoon but it turns out I was not the only one who noticed the capture. Almost immediately a great blue heron swooped in like a pirate to plunder the catch. This caused the startled egret to drop his fish in the mud…and as would be expected, an argument broke out as the egret was not willing to let his prize go without a fight. The heron snatched up the fish and the egret tried his best to grab it back but the heron had a tighter grip so as is quite often the case, the blue heron has his way and triumphantly flies off with the stolen treasure!!