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.
Merry Christmas!
Alyce and I and the whole gang here at the marsh and the beach want to wish all our special blog friends a very joyful, safe, healthy, and Merry Christmas, and all the best for the coming New Year!
White Pelicans Fall Visit
This past November we had three American White Pelicans show up in the marsh pond for a short visit.
At times they stayed to themselves in a tight little group, but at other times it sure looked like they were having a lot of fun flying and splashing around with the various birds including cormorants, gulls, herons, and egrets.
Always enjoy seeing these very large birds arrive in our area. They are not rare, but they are uncommon, so it’s a treat for sure!
Patrolling the Salt Marsh
I’ve been away a while I know…
A hundred times I’ve wanted to start a new post, but somehow the time never seemed quite right or at least I couldn’t make it right.
But looks like today was finally the day to make it happen.
It was a mild December afternoon and we decided to get in some motorcycle riding time, and headed over to the salt marsh area.
We almost didn’t stop because there didn’t seem to be a whole lot going on, just the usual egrets and blue herons fussing at one another.
But we did stop, and as soon as we started walking toward the marsh area we noticed about a dozen small snowy egrets all rapidly taking flight in a panic. We’ve seen this behavior before and it often means a bald eagle is entering the nearby air space.
Turns out that’s exactly the case and the eagle was headed straight in our direction. He took a few quick glances at the water below but it was clear he wasn’t fishing. As soon as I saw the landing gear being deployed, I knew he was headed for one of the pines at the edge of the marsh.
Sure enough, the eagle pointed those big sky hooks at one of the branches and dropped in for a bit of preening in the sun.
After about 20 minutes, the big guy took flight and left his tree. He did two or three circles over head then headed off north quite possibly toward a nearby tidal pond where some ducks were sighted yesterday.
So it was a good day today. Got in some bike riding time and saw a bonus eagle.
Nice way to get back into blog posting, we’ll see how long it lasts…
Big Bird Big Splash
Over at the salt marsh this morning we heard a big splash behind us. We turned just in time to see it was a brown pelican who was making another huge splash leaving just as fast as he arrived.
Snack Time
I spent a bit of time at the salt marsh this afternoon watching an active tricolored heron with a voracious appetite.
He was snatching up tiny fish and glass shrimp faster than you could count.
You know how it goes with snacking, you start off with the intention of having ‘just a few’ and the next thing you know you’ve eaten a whole marsh full. 🙂
Recent Visitors
It’s been fairly quiet over at the marsh recently, but here are a few visitors that we have seen coming and going.
We had a great blue heron patiently waiting for a nice fish to swim into his hunting area.
There was also an egret snacking on some glass shrimp right at the edge of the salt marsh, and an adult brown pelican bathing.
We are still waiting for our local bald eagle couple to begin feeding their baby(s) and that could provide some excitement.
Just A Bit Windy Out There Today
We had a nice steady breeze coming off the ocean along the salt marsh this afternoon, and this snowy egret seems to have caught a little back draft.
Of course snowys, being snowys, tend to be excitable even in calm conditions but either way this guy soon smoothed himself back down.
Surprise Pop Up
This afternoon we were pleasantly surprised when a cute little mink popped his head up along side the salt marsh.
He was very active scurrying around the rocks and oyster beds and at one point snatched a fish from one of his hiding spots and took off to stash it in a new secret location where the fish will be available for later dining.
Always a fun treat when the mink puts in a personal appearance!
