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.
Fast Fun Flyers
Yesterday afternoon we had a couple of Forster’s Terns working the salt marsh at mid tide. These small terns are built for speed and they can make you dizzy trying to follow them as they fly around searching for a fish.
But it is fun to watch them zipping above the water in quick erratic flights and try to predict which direction one might ‘tern’ next.
Often they do a quick gulp after catching a fish, and other times they fly off with it as this one is doing in these photos.
Our pal Radar even popped up his head for a quick photo bomb as one of the terns jetted by… 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from the marsh and best wishes for a healthy and happy new year!
He’s Back!!
We finally got some good news Sunday morning when we received a report that Radar had been sighted in his usual area around the marsh. The last photos I have of him were taken Nov. 21 so he has been gone for a month. We were all starting to get quite concerned.
He has disappeared before, for even a couple of weeks, but this time everyone was worried that if we never saw him again we wouldn’t know for sure what had happened to him. Radar clearly has some secret place he sneaks off to on occasion! Perhaps the big crowd of pelicans and cormorants that all arrived in November got to be too much for him. He has never been a flock mentality type of bird and is more of a loner. A loner that feels he is head egret and basically owns the marsh.
Today was the first chance I had to go look for him and sure enough, there he was patrolling his territory like he was never gone. He even stared down and chased off another egret that dared to fish in ‘his’ salt marsh.
It was already dark and raining when I was there so it was just well that after about ten minutes Radar took off and flew out across the water.
In any case it was good seeing our electronically enhanced friend! 🙂
Quick Jump
Earlier this week on a cold, grey late afternoon, a great egret jumps off from the marsh pond on his way back for an evening roost.
Friday Afternoon
It was a mostly quiet afternoon yesterday over at the marsh.
A great blue heron as usual had to announce his comings and goings. A mixed group of male and female hooded mergansers floated along on their standard patrol.
A young white ibis picked along in the shallow water at the edge of the marsh searching for a tasty treat. And an egret still hard at work fishing, is silhouetted by warm setting sunlight to wind down the day.
Another Pop Up
Well our fuzzy little mink friend is back. This afternoon we saw him pop out from behind some rocks along the edge of the marsh. He scampered around for a bit before disappearing back down into the rocks.
We waited for a little while, but never did see him pop back up. I have to figure he has a bunch of cozy hiding spots down in among the rocks and brush.
Shaking Off
An osprey shakes off some water as he flies along the reeds at the edge of the marsh.
He caught no fish on this attempt but will go right back to work after the quick shake off.
Of course the eagle is sitting in his tree at the far edge hoping the next pass by the osprey will be successful…
Potential Incoming Trouble
Yesterday afternoon a blue heron appeared to be rather upset when he saw this slightly out of control juvenile wood stork heading straight for him.
The young stork did manage to land without crashing into the heron but you never know…those inexperienced kids can be unpredictable so it’s best to remain alert if you happen to be standing in the flight path!
Phil Lanoue Photography 