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.
Many of you will likely remember seeing photos of our pal “Radar.” He is the great egret with the transmitter pack attached to his back with antennas sticking out.
He is has been a regular fixture over at the marsh for a few year years now and generally never goes far. Even if we don’t see him for a day or two he always eventually shows up to assume command over his area of operation.
But he has not been seen in a good three months now. We did get a report that he was spotted a month or so ago over at a rookery where egrets and other birds nest. So it is possible that our good buddy Radar found himself a lady and is now a daddy.
I strongly suspect though that once his family obligations are met he will return to his usual spots along the marsh and assume his regular duties of chasing off other birds.
More photos and adventures of Radar going back to the summer of 2012 can be seen here: https://phillanoue.com/category/radar/
A great blue heron surprised me by suddenly jumping up out of the reeds in the salt marsh. I didn’t even know the bird was in there, and he reminded me of a pheasant being flushed out from the brush.
Not sure what the big rush was, but these guys never need an excuse to act impulsively.
An anhinga drops in over at the edge of the marsh for a quick visit. He had a surprised look on his face, but I never did find out what all the excitement was about. Normally it’s because some other anhinga or cormorant needs to be chased away from this particular location, however there were no other birds right there that I could see.
Only the anhinga knows for sure…
On a recent evening an alligator cruises along the marsh with the water lit by warm setting sunlight.
Just 15 minutes later, as the sun sets further, the light and water color change from gold to red.
Yesterday afternoon there were a few egrets out fishing in the salt marsh among the oyster beds.
Suddenly one came swooping in and rudely chased off his friend. It’s not like there is only a tiny area to fish in, there is plenty of room for everybody. But not to these guys who take it personally when another bird invades ‘their’ spot!
I spotted this GBH spiffing himself up in the marsh this morning and thought maybe he already had breakfast and was doing a little after meal clean up.
But he quickly went right back at it, and about two minutes later had snagged a light continental breakfast. Our little fishie friend, however, did not seem at all pleased with how his morning was going.
When this egret suddenly popped up right in front of me from the edge of the marsh and surprised me, I think we were both asking the same question!
There is that certain look an alligator can get that makes you glad he is not coming after you…