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.
Tasty, But Not Particularly Satisfying
This past week I was watching a tricolored heron fishing in the salt marsh. At one point he caught and quickly knocked back a small fish.
At first he looked quite happy to have this tiny, tasty snack. But in the last photo I thought he had kind of a disappointed look on his face, as if he was thinking… “Is that it?”
Diving In
This past weekend a spoonbill comes diving down looking for a perfect spot to land!
Crabby Is Not So Lucky This Time
Earlier this month we had a big blue crab that escaped being munched by an alligator by pinching the gator’s nose with his strong claw.
But this time our crabby friend was not able to intimidate this hungry alligator from making a meal out of fresh caught crab. Crabby got crunched and munched this time, which is the case more often then not out there in the salt marsh.
I’ve Been Missing The Minks…
It’s been a while since I have seen any minks scampering around the rocks along the marsh. So I thought it might be a good day to bring out some never before seen file shots of a couple of our cute little furry friends!
Pelican Up A Tree
Earlier this weekend, I was quite surprised to realize that a bird I saw flapping around on the top of a tree turned out to be a brown pelican.
This time of year we routinely see wood storks, egrets and herons perched in trees but never a pelican who is more likely to be seen resting while floating along in the water. These are very large birds so I was even more shocked that it was able to find a secure branch that high up that would support it’s weight.
After moving around and apparently finding a comfortable position, the pelican settled down for a pleasant late evening nap.
Brightening Up A Grey Day
Yesterday evening was cloudy with grey skies and light rain. Mostly a gloomy sort of day all around.
But at one point I looked across the marsh and saw a familiar face, uh I mean bill, arriving on the scene.
I couldn’t mistake those bright pink wings and I got a great look at them when the spoonie turned and banked hard to the right.
All it took was one lone spoonbill to show up all by himself and instantly the day was much brighter!
Black Skimmers At Work
Earlier this week we had some skimmers show up and make a few passes through the marsh.
These very fast flying birds are always fun and exciting to watch! I am amazed they don’t have a lot more wrecks zipping along at high speed with oyster beds just below the surface of the water, but they are experts using their skim technique for fishing.
Some Days You Just Can’t Intimidate Anyone
One day this past weekend an alligator came floating into the area where many of the wading birds were feeding. Maybe Mr. A thought he could send off all the birds just by giving them *that* look, but it didn’t work at all this time.
First he went over and glared at Woody who seemed to not care very much and just continued on about his business.
Then he took a slow glide past a pair of spoonbills that momentarily stopped to take a look at the gator, but they didn’t fly off or panic in any way.
Finally, he cruised over to where a snowy egret was fishing but snowball was not particularly impressed and the alligator ended up swimming right on through.
Although there are indeed times when our good friend Mr. A can be a formidable sight, on this day he just couldn’t get it working.
Phil Lanoue Photography 