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.
A Clean Lunch Is A Tasty Lunch
On Wednesday we were watching this great blue heron fishing in the salt marsh at low tide. He struck at the water and pulled out a nice size fish for his meal.
But he must’ve decided that the fish he came up with had a little too much mud on it so the heron plunged it back into the water, gave it a good rinse, then happily emerged with a nice clean fish!
Manny, Moe and Jack
This morning started off sunny and fairly mild so we went over to the swamp hoping some of our reptile friends might be out relaxing in the sunshine. We quickly noticed Manny, Moe and Jack were lounging around at the edge of the water taking advantage of some pleasant sunlight. Moe decided he needed a bit more sun on his face so he turned around to position himself at a better angle for that, followed soon by Jack who had the same idea.
Although Jack was clearly enjoying the morning sun, he apparently thought things were getting a bit too crowded in that location so he headed off find a nap spot of his own. It was too bad he left because he missed all the excitement as a moorhen that was picking at marsh weeds came floating into the scene. Well maybe excitement isn’t the best description of the event as Manny and Moe appeared completely unimpressed and totally disinterested in the moorhen’s presence.
Just A Typical Day In Snowy Egret World
Yesterday afternoon we were watching this group of snowy egrets fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. Whenever you get a group of snowys together in one place you can always count on an argument breaking out. We estimate that snowys must spend a good 60% of their day fussing and chasing one another. This is what they do and they just can’t seem to help it! It usually only lasts a few seconds and all is forgotten until the next snowy decides it now needs to take issue with his friend who had been previously minding his own business.
However, this comical behavior often does provide photo opportunities for us, so we always take time to stop and watch the entertaining snowys.
Ascending or Descending?
I photographed this great blue heron last week at the marsh as it was gliding in for a landing. But at a quick first glance I thought it almost looked like the heron was either hovering still in the air, or actually floating upward.
What do you think?
“Too Bad I Can’t Eat Oysters”
This white ibis from last week appears rather forlorn, or perhaps simply bewildered to be standing amid a huge oyster bed in the salt marsh. Although oysters are quite commonly consumed by humans… otters and even a raccoon may occasionally eat them. Sadly however, despite the abundance of oysters in the marshland, they are not something an ibis can eat.
But oysters are good for the environment and help keep the water clean. Oysters are filter feeders, and can filter up to 5 liters of water per hour as they eat. So even though they do not provide meals for ibis, the oysters are very useful because they give clean water to the fish, birds and the rest of us!
Inconspicuous
A while back we spotted Mr. Alligator doing his best to keep a low profile in the swamp amid the duckweed. His attempt at inconspicuousness and blending in could work.
Whatever he is hoping will end up on the day’s menu might never see him…and could end up bumping right into trouble.
Time Lapse Of Late Afternoon Clouds
I made this 26 second time lapse from my backyard today of the late afternoon clouds moving by as the sky cleared.
Morning In The Marsh
Cold and slow start to the morning today. We awoke to an unusual frost but decided to layer up anyway and head over to the marsh to see what might be happening.
It turned out that not a lot was going on. We did see a bald eagle fishing but it was fairly far out and never cooperated by flying in close. The usual blue herons were chasing each other around but also did not give us a courtesy fly by.
I did manage to grab a few flight shots so I would at least have something to come back with.
This belted kingfisher was hovering over the marsh in search of a tasty little fish.
A young brown pelican was gliding along at tree top level.
A snowy egret took a break from chasing his friends and swooped in low over the marsh grass.
And a lesser yellowlegs took off from out of the salt marsh among some oysters.
That pretty much does it for today’s edition of the Morning Marsh News!
Phil Lanoue Photography 