Phil Lanoue Photography

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.

Bath Time

Clapper Rails are generally rather secretive and elusive birds. They can often be heard loudly squawking while hidden in among the reeds in the salt marsh, but rarely are they seen. Occasionally a clapper can be spotted out in the open and earlier this week I found this one that decided now was the perfect time for a bath!

The rail splashed around in the salt water making sure all the feathers got a good rinsing. Then once the bathing portion of the day was concluded, it scurried out of the water and back to the hidden safety provided by the reeds.

Late Evening Activity

The storm clouds rolled into the marsh area yesterday evening and the rain that followed eventually chased me from the area.

But before I left I did see some activity.

We had an egret come jetting across the marsh reeds in a big hurry.

A wood stork decided to step out of the water and relax on his knees? Elbows? I’m not sure. It didn’t look very comfortable to me but Woody seemed fine with his unusual position.

A spoonbill spent a bit of time making sure his pink feathers were all nice and fluffy.

And a young black skimmer made a few passes through before packing it in for the night.