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.
Baby Sea Turtles Start Their New Lives!
Last night park personnel conducted a sea turtle nest inventory. This is done after a turtle nest has hatched so that the broken eggs can be counted, and DNA testing can reveal which mama turtle laid this particular nest. Occasionally un-hatched eggs are found and these are returned to the nest and covered back over with sand.
On more rare occasions, a live baby sea turtle or two is discovered in the process of it’s journey through the sand packed nest and up onto the beach where it has to make it’s way to the ocean. Last night was a considerably rare event as a significant number of live babies were uncovered and these were gently placed into a bucket for release on the beach. Once placed on the sand, the tiny turtles will begin their life’s journey to the ocean and hopefully make a successful swim to the Gulf Stream.
At one point during the nest excavation, turtle inventory team member Molly was surprised and delighted when a baby cracked open it’s shell and hatched right in her hand as she was holding it!
When you see how small these baby turtles are it seems impossible that any could possibly survive the long trip to the Gulf Stream but of course some certainly do. The mother of these babies may have started her own journey from this very same beach 35 years ago, and it’s possible one of these tiny creatures will return some day to make a nest of her own.
It was a truly memorable scene last night feeling and being this close to nature as it unfolds. To watch these miniature turtles so purposefully march their way down the sandy beach toward the ocean, making their little footprints, was in many ways a spiritual experience.
Some had to climb over clumps of seaweed, and others were initially knocked back by a small wave, but each and every one eventually made it’s way into the ocean to start it’s new and incredible life!
Spoonbill News Update
Well our injured pink friend is still around the area and he seems to be recovering fairly well with his wounds.
He is behaving as normal, hanging out and feeding with his friends including a tricolored heron and a cormorant. Also relaxing in a tree with an egret, and he appears to be flying just fine.
We were glad he stayed around so we could keep an eye on him and continue to hope the injuries heal. And maybe if we are all lucky, some spoonbill friends will arrive so he has company!
Fun In The Water
Everyone likes to play in the water in the summer. And yesterday we had a cormorant splashing around, and an alligator also swirling about chasing after fish.
Just a couple of guys out beating the heat during these hot August days!
“OK, Everybody Clear Out!”
Earlier this weekend an alligator seems distressed to show up at his favorite morning nap spot to find it already occupied by a large group of egrets.
Since the birds were not inclined to vacate the premises, the gator had no choice but to lumber over and claim his spot anyway despite the noisy crowd.
Spoonbill Injury Update!
Well…we went over to the salt marsh early this evening hoping the injured spoonbill might show up for low tide and he sure did!
The good news is that he seems to be doing well. He was actively feeding and flying as normal which was an encouraging sign.
The bad news is that he did suffer a significant gash on the front area of his neck but we’re hopeful it will heal and spoonie will be back to 100% soon.
It also appeared that he may have given himself a bit of a bath and washed some of the dried blood off his feathers which was also good too see.
We thought he looked great for all he must have been through and we will continue to stay on top of our pink friend’s progress!
Injured Spoonbill
After not being seen in the area since last Sunday, our big pink friend returned to the marsh yesterday and we immediately noticed that he had suffered an injury. There are some fresh gashes around his throat and chest area. We suspect he got into it with someone (my guess would be a blue heron) and possibly got the worst part of the exchange.
Our concern was that the injuries would prevent him from catching food which could weaken him severely and lessen his chances for survival. But as we observed him for a while yesterday morning out in the salt marsh, he seemed to be able to feed, preen, and fly normally which was good news.
He did get along fine with all the other birds who were also out there going about their day doing the same things as spoonie.
Our hope is that the wounds will heal and he will have a full recovery from the injuries.
We are heading out shortly for low tide in the marsh to see if he is out there again and try to get an update on his condition and behavior.
Interesting Evening Visitor
Yesterday evening I was surprised to see this adult Black-crowned Night Heron come swooping in to the edge of the marsh near where I was standing. It’s unusual for us to have an adult night heron make an appearance in this area. We often see the youngsters out learning how to fish and survive, but the adults are generally much more secretive and elusive.
This guy seemed quite brave and was not at all intimidated either by my presence or any of the numerous alligators that were out last night cruising for an evening snack.
Although I saw quite a few fish jumping, and other birds were having success, I never saw this guy catch anything! He did appear very comfortable patrolling the edge of the pond area though, so I fully expect to see him again soon.
Wood Storks Get A Visitor
Yesterday afternoon the usual gaggle of wood storks had an unexpected and unusual visitor drop into their territory in the marsh pond.
An American White Pelican arrived and proceeded to swim back and forth in front of the wood stork lineup scooping up numerous fish.
It’s worthwhile to note the size difference between the two species. Wood storks are large birds but the white pelican makes them look medium sized at best, while the tricolored heron in the fourth photo looks tiny compared to our pelican friend.
As the afternoon went on… more arriving wood storks did not faze the pelican and at one point some of the wood storks even appeared to be showing the big guy some respect!
Phil Lanoue Photography 