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.
New Year’s Alligator And Bald Eagle
Well I guess it should not come as a complete surprise that I would start off 2013 with an alligator!
So this morning we decided to head over to the swamp and see if anything was going on. Not too much at first, the usual coots, moorhens, grebes, and various species of ducks, but no alligators at all that we could spot. Within about 15 or 20 minutes though we saw this alligator come gliding in on his way to pick out a nice place to enjoy his daily nap.
He most likely got up from a nap so that he could swim over and take another nap, but anyway we were happy to see our first gator of the new year.
A short time later we saw what we thought might be a bald eagle come soaring in from the far edge of the swamp and then swoop down and hug the tree line as it passed by. It was indeed an eagle and we watched as it flew past the swamp and continued on along the marsh pond still flying just above the trees. There are a few tall pine trees where we have seen eagles previously and thought that might be where this one was headed. At first it seemed to pass those trees by and we figured it was gone for the day. But then it did a banking turn and headed right for one of the pines where it took roost.
Since the alligator looked like he was not planning any further activity, and the ducks were not doing anything very exciting we decided to see if we could find the eagle’s tree, and hoped it would still be in it when we arrived. We found the suspected tree fairly quickly and sure enough the eagle was still sitting there.
We set up on the eagle and I grabbed a few perched shots and then managed to get some flight photos as it took off.
New Years alligator and bald eagle…What a great way to kick off 2013!
Happy New Year! (My Favorite Post From 2012)
I would like to wish all my WP blog friends, and everyone else who views my blog through a variety of different methods, a very healthy and happy New Year!
Also at this time I thought it might be nice to revisit what was my personal favorite post I made in 2012, “Hello World, Here I Come!!!”.
https://phillanoue.com/2012/09/29/hello-world-here-i-come/
This, as many of you will likely remember, was the story of a baby loggerhead sea turtle’s first glimpse of life outside of it’s nest on the beach. My wife and I marveled as this tiny yet determined creature marched fearlessly down the beach toward the massive ocean laid out in front of it. Witnessing this emotional scene caused us to wonder how even one of these little turtles could ever make it and survive such an imposing journey, but thankfully many do. In fact, if this little one happens to be a female, in 30 years it could potentially return to this exact same beach, and to this very same spot to lay it’s own eggs and help continue on with nature’s cycle. It’s possible this baby turtle’s mother left this beach back in the 1980s on a similar journey when she was a baby. Imagine that?! This possibility offers great hope I feel. And hope is the message of this post. Hope for the future of all of us, even when presented with what appear to be insurmountable odds and challenges. If this tiny creature feels it can conquer the enormous task it now must face and make it far out to the Gulf Stream all by itself and survive into adulthood, then there has to be hope. Hope for us that we can face up to and successfully confront the challenges of our every day life not just in 2013 but for many years to come.
Happy New Year everyone!
December Flights
In keeping with the tradition I started several months ago, I’m again posting flight shots for the month that had not been previously posted. And prior to today, these photos have never seen the light of day anywhere.
Here are a few various bird flights taken in December!
American White Pelican
Bald Eagle
Brown Pelican
Coopers Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Osprey
Snowy Egret
Tricolored Heron
White Ibis
Late Arrival
Late Thursday afternoon, just as we were about to leave, we saw this Double-crested Cormorant make a brisk arrival in the salt marsh.
Most of the other birds had already left but this fellow’s plan was not to make friends, it was there to fish. The tide had been coming in bringing not only the water level up to a point the cormorants like it, but also hopefully a fresh supply of tasty fish.
Another Sunset
Here is tonight’s sunset at the marsh. Not nearly as colorful or dramatic as last night’s, but I did find something amusing about this sunset.
Does anyone else see what almost looks like a face in the clouds in the left, center area?
So What Was THAT All About?!
Yesterday afternoon I saw this great egret standing around in the salt marsh minding it’s own business when suddenly a great blue heron came swooping in and made a giant fuss.
Normally when the blue herons do this, the idea is to chase off the other bird because it is seen as a competitor for food. But in this case the egret didn’t leave and the heron didn’t seem to care one way or another.
I believe that it may simply be the great blue heron’s nature to create a huge scene when so much drama is not even required. Maybe they just get bored and enjoy making life a bit more interesting!
Sunset At The Marsh
This was tonight’s sunset over the marsh pond.
Eagle At Sunset
Late yesterday afternoon, just as the sun was close to setting, we saw this bald eagle cruising above the marsh hunting for a meal.
At one point it flew right over our heads, lit by the glow of the warm setting sunlight. Notice also the jet contrails visible in the sky…it was a great day to be in the air!
Phil Lanoue Photography 