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.
The Amazing Death Defying Alligator Jump!
Earlier in the weekend we were watching this alligator that showed up in the marsh and proceeded to get numerous small fish all in a panic.
The fish were popping up in all directions to escape the gator, including the particularly thrilling and dangerous over the nose jump!
While some fish managed to successfully perform this desperate stunt and avoid capture, there were many who ended up on the alligator’s dinner menu.
August…A Month Of Birds In Flight!
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Juvenile Tricolored Heron
Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Osprey
Roseate Spoonbill
Black Skimmer
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Return Of The Roseate Spoonbills!
It has been almost three weeks since we have seen any Roseate Spoonbills in the area, so last night we were pleasantly surprised to see three come flying into the marsh.
One chose to rest in a far off tree while the remaining two landed in the salt marsh in hopes of grabbing a late meal.
They spent a little time picking around in the water, even joining some White Ibis at one point.
But all too quickly the pair decided they needed to leave and go join their friend in the tree who was sitting with a group pf Egrets and Wood Storks.
That’s where we last saw them but we have hopes they will stay in the marsh area for a nice long visit!
Cracked Crab For Dinner!
Earlier we were watching a pair of juvenile yellow-crowned night herons patroling the evening salt marsh at low tide in search of a meal.
One of the juvies eventually headed off on it’s own and was successful in catching it’s favorite treat, a nice tasty blue crab.
A few crunches…a quick gulp…and the crab was part of this youngster’s dinner!
Reflecting Alligators
Occasionally, the water in the marsh is as still and smooth as glass. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it can create interesting reflections of the birds and alligators who happen to be fishing along the shore and in the water. This was the case recently when we saw several alligators who were floating and hunting in the glassy water. They seem to enjoy the nice smooth marsh pond which allows them to glide effortlessly while fishing.
Ever Get The Feeling That You’re Being Watched…Or Followed?!
Last week we saw this wood stork hunting for fish in the salt marsh among the oyster beds.
However woody was not the only one hunting in the marsh, an alligator was also lurking in the same area with hopes of acquiring a meal.
The wood stork was aware of the alligator’s presence and knew it was in no real danger, even turning it’s back on the gator at one point. This alligator would be extremely unlikely to bother a bird like a wood stork and it was actually after the same thing as woody, fresh fish for dinner!
Snowy Gets An Earful!
We had high drama last week in the salt marsh among the oyster beds.
A snowy egret comes up with a major attitude and decides to get all snippy with his friend and send him off.
This is not extremely unusual for the snowys who seem to spend a large portion of their day fussing and arguing with each other.
But all the commotion got the attention of a white ibis who decided to march over and give the offending snowy a good talking to.
At one one point the snowy thought he could talk back but the ibis wasn’t having it.
So this time it was the cranky snowy who got sent off to find a new place along the marsh to continue fishing.
Fresh Caught Shark!
Yesterday evening we saw this osprey flying above the marsh carrying a small shark in it’s talons.
We figure it very likely just plucked the shark from the ocean as we were only a few hundred yards from the beach.
Phil Lanoue Photography 