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.
Quick Grab
Yesterday morning the marsh pond was teeming with small fish that were visible close to the surface of the water.
The situation did not escape the notice of an osprey that was scouting out the area.
This osprey came in talons first and scooped itself out one of those little fish and flew off with it.
Ospreys normally would prefer a much larger fish but…when the pickings get this easy, they will take advantage of the opportunity!
Evening Appetizer
Yesterday evening before sunset we watched several alligators converge on a shallow pool of water in the marsh pond that was filled with numerous small bait fish.
The gators spent quite awhile dipping under the water, then surfacing with one or more of these tiny fish in their mouth. If you look closely at this gator, you can see one of these little fish. One or two fish would barely be an appetizer for a large alligator, but after an hour or so of continuous feeding it amounts to a full meal!
Black Skimmers
For the past two mornings we have been watching Black Skimmers operating in the marsh pond.
These birds fish by dropping the lower portion of their bill (which is 1/3 longer then the upper portion) into the water and then skimming along until contact is made with food and they snap their mouth closed to capture it.
They are very fast flyers yet their cry, which sounds like a puppy barking, can often be heard before the bird is seen.
Happy Egrets
I normally hesitate to assign human characteristics to animals, but I thought that both of these egrets from yesterday looked happy.
The one flying in seems to have a smiling look on it’s face as it enjoys a graceful glide. And I tend to assume any time fishing is successful that would make a bird happy as well…the fish?…not so much!
“Little Greenie”
Yesterday morning we watched a Green Heron patrolling the edge of the marsh pond in search of small fish and other delicasies.
Green Herons will also often find a perch just over the water which provides them with an excellent view of potential prey.
A little while later, we spotted little greenie further down along the pond watching another marsh resident feeding.
Low Tide In The Salt Marsh
Earlier this week we found an alligator slogging around in the salt marsh at low tide.
At this point there are portions of the marsh that are mostly mud, and other areas with just enough water to swim around a bit.
Although alligators do not live in the salt marsh, they will visit for short periods in search of food.
However this particular gator seemed to be more interested in crawling through the mud and water, than it was in hunting for a meal!
Buddy System
Wood Storks often feed in groups, that is not unusual. It is also common to see a couple of them get into an argument over who owns the rights to a fishing spot.
But until this morning, I had never seen a pair team up and use the buddy system to feed. These two went head to head for quite a while. They even found something they both wanted at the same time.
Of course that turned out to be a piece of wood, but they had the basic idea down fairly well!
“Radar”
This is a Great Egret we affectionately refer to as “Radar”. Radar has a transmitter pack with two antennas attached to his back which was put there as part of a study on the migratory habits of wading birds.
Radar is undaunted by his electronics. In fact, he acts like head egret of the marsh, constantly chasing and challenging other birds over fishing territory.
Here, Radar comes up with a freshly caught shrimp for dinner while patrolling the marsh pond.
Phil Lanoue Photography 