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.
Pelican Doing A Bit Of Afternoon Fishing
Earlier this week I was watching a young brown pelican fishing in the salt marsh. The brown pelicans fish by plunging themselves head first into the water from flight, or by just plunging their head into the water from where they float. It never fails to amaze me how large their huge mouth pouch expands as they filter out the water leaving just their captured meal to be swallowed.
New Month…New Alligators
I know what you all have been thinking…OK, Phil, the birds are nice enough, but where are the alligators?!
Since I know everyone has been missing the poor little alligators terribly, I went over to the swamp on this sunny morning to see if any were out enjoying the first day of February. There were indeed a few to be found, gliding about and just in general soaking up a little sun.
What better way to start off a new month then a visit with some of our good friends in the swamp?!
January Flights
In keeping with the tradition I started several months ago, I’m posting some various flight photos for the month of January that have not been previously posted. This is the first time these have seen the light of day anywhere.
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Brown Pelican
Egret
Great Blue Heron
Ibis
Snowy Egret
A Slight Disagreement
Yesterday afternoon these two great egrets had a bit of a disagreement over who owns the hot fishing spot in the salt marsh.
The argument quickly escalated into an airborne display of egret supremacy. Although the initial winner seemed to be the one who grabbed the other egret in a firm beak lock, they both stayed in the general area and continued on with their day of fishing. But this is typical of the egrets and herons, they frequently mix a little fighting in with their fishing…it’s all part of a day in the marsh.
Ibis In The Afternoon
This afternoon we were watching a couple of white ibis fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. They were picking out little minnows, glass shrimp, and these tiny transparent eels. I suppose if the ibis eats enough of this seafood combo, it gets full, but in any case this one seemed quite pleased with it’s little snack!
Look Who’s Back!
This past week one of our bald eagle friends returned to it’s favorite pine tree where it stood for a while surveying the marsh area for a possible meal.
I decided to wait on it in hopes of getting some flight shots if it ever saw something interesting and left the tree to investigate. When the eagle suddenly got very alert, jerked it’s head around, and did a slight crouch move, I suspected it was ready to launch and I was right. The eagle took off from the tree and did a swoop over the marsh staring intently at something below. I’m guessing this time a very lucky fish managed to quickly swim away and elude capture because the eagle took a wide turn and headed off toward the ocean.
In any case I was treated to a very nice flight demonstration by the always impressive bald eagle!
He…Or She…Has Got The Right Idea
This weekend it’s sunny but cold here along the South Carolina coast. Last weekend however, when I took this photo, it was sunny and warm! So naturally our good pal Mr. Alligator was out taking advantage of the pleasant weather by finding a nice comfy spot in the swamp to relax in and soak up some sun.
Although I say “Mr.” Alligator, we are speculating that this could in fact be a dainty female. This individual has a smaller head then we would generally expect from a gator with such a long tail. So it may possibly be the exceptionally alluring *Miss* Alligator out there sunbathing!
In any case it sure is a nice, and smart way to spend a morning!
From Out Of The Marsh…
Last week we saw this great egret come flying up from out of the reeds and across the marsh with a fresh caught fish. Normally the egrets will eat a fish right where they caught it, but in this case the bird took flight to prevent losing the fish to another bird. There were several other egrets plus some pelicans and great blue herons in the area, any of whom would be more then happy to relieve the egret of it’s prize catch!
Phil Lanoue Photography 