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.
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!!
Bombing Run
This past weekend I spotted a pair of brown pelicans flying over the marsh. It was not until I looked at the photos later I realized that one of them apparently needed to do it’s um, er, business while in mid-air.
I realize this may have limited appeal, and even then mainly and only to the bird lovers out there, but I thought it was rather humorous!
American Mink
Yesterday late in the afternoon, I saw this little mink pop it’s head up at the edge of the salt marsh. It started racing around in a very purposeful manner keeping it’s head and nose down as if it was frantically searching for something. Perhaps it had previously stashed some food in a den among the rocks and could not recall the locations of all the stashes. It clearly had a mission in mind though because the odd and interesting thing was that it ignored me the entire time. As you can see especially in the last photo, the mink was practically right at my feet and did not seem to care at all that I was there.
Morning In The Swamp
Although cold, it was bright and sunny this morning at the swamp so I was hoping a few of my alligator friends might be out looking to warm up a bit.
It didn’t take long for this one young gator to come gliding in, and eventually climb up and claim his sun spot on a small bog.
Another alligator at the water’s edge was barely able to keep his eyes open and I knew he would be in full nap mode shortly. I went back to check in on him a bit later, and I saw that a little song sparrow (see the last photo) was standing on the end of the sleeping gator’s tail!
The Chase Is On!
Wednesday was a busy day at the marsh. In addition to the bald eagles… the pelicans, egrets, ibis, and herons were all out catching fish. At one point a great blue heron snagged a fish which immediately caught the attention of another heron who proceeded to chase his friend around the marsh trying to get him to drop it. The chase was quickly broken off however and the great blue that caught the fish, got to keep the fish!
The Lovely Mrs. Bald Eagle
We have a mated pair of bald eagles that seem to have taken up residence in the marsh area lately. They can often be seen sitting in one of their favorite trees on the far side of the marsh, but they will occasionally fly over to the near side where we can get a good look at them. Yesterday afternoon they were both quite active. The male was spotted chasing off a rival at one point, and then later swooped down when an egret and a gull got into a disagreement over ownership of a fish.
The female came flying in shortly after those events and she took up a position in a nearby pine tree. I was watching her for a little while and grabbed a few photos but I suspected she wouldn’t stay too long, and I was hoping to get shots of her as she left the tree. When I saw her fluff up a bit and take a good look toward the marsh I thought that might be the time…and it was. She launched herself out of the tree and as she got up into open blue sky she gave me a good parting look. Perhaps she was hoping the photos I took of her would be flattering since she’s such an attractive eagle!
I’ll have some photos of the handsome Mr. Eagle posted probably some time this weekend.
Streamlined Flight
Yesterday was a very breezy day over at the salt marsh. If it gets too windy many birds will curtail unnecessary flying because it requires more energy then on a calm day.
You can see in this flight photo of a tricolored heron how it tucked itself into a more aerodynamic shape to cut down on wind resistance.
Phil Lanoue Photography 