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.
Spoonbill Has A Surprise Guest Drop In During Dinner
So last night the spoonie was still in the area and happily feeding in the salt marsh at low tide.
The next thing you know…up pops Mister You Know Who which, as you might imagine, completely spoils the fishing.
The spoonbill walked back and forth for a bit, stopping occasionally to asses the situation. He was also making these odd grunting sounds which we took to mean he was not tremendously pleased with having his dinner interrupted.
The alligator meanwhile was totally unimpressed with the pink bird’s vocal displeasure and simply floated along in his standard casual manner ignoring spoonie the entire time.
Pink Brightens Up A Dark Morning
Very early this morning it was gloomy with a light rain falling, but that didn’t stop our new pink arrival from making an appearance in the marsh.
In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself! He pranced and preened for a while until finally taking off to go find a nice breakfast far out in the salt marsh.
It’s supposed to be a cloudy, rainy weekend but hopefully the spoonie will stick around until the weather improves.
Spoonbill Arrives! Finally…
After being disappointed all of last month making it the first July in five years that we had no spoonbills in the marsh, one finally showed up today! It was just the one, but we were thrilled to see our pink visitor back again to start off August, plus we have hopes that some of his friends may also arrive at any time.
When we first spotted the spoonie, he was in the back far edge of the pond hanging around with some tricolor herons, a snowy egret, and an alligator. He soon left and flew all the way across the marsh landing in a pine tree where he had a noon day nap.
After leaving the tree he went back down into the marsh where he posed for a few pictures, then took off again to join some wood storks that had gathered back in a far corner.
We may try going back this evening for low tide in the salt marsh to see if he goes there to feed. Otherwise, we hope he stays the night and that we can find him again tomorrow, hopefully with some pink friends!
Surprise Guest Appearance
Well the Snowy Egret Convention took place this morning in the marsh, but I’m not sure this was the wisest choice for a guest speaker.
Some of the attendees seemed more then a little surprised and possibly disappointed. Plus, I suspect that whoever was in charge of that portion of the event just might have some explaining to do!
Little Greenie In Action
Yesterday evening we were watching this green heron fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. Green herons are compact, active, and very intelligent birds that are also quite skilled at hunting down a meal.
After stalking a fish near an oyster clump, the excited heron quickly rushes out of the water with it’s catch. The idea of bringing the fish onto land is that if the little greenie were to drop his fish (and they often do drop them) the fish will not be able to swim away, and it can still be picked back up and swallowed down.
I saw this green heron catch four or five fish like this a short amount of time while several egrets, blue herons, ibis, and wood storks in the same area were still going for their first!
Not Hiding After All…
On a previous visit to the salt marsh, this great blue heron came gliding in on a mission. When he landed back in among the reeds, it appeared that might be exactly where he would spend the afternoon. But within two minutes he came walking out to water’s edge to begin hunting for lunch.
I liked the way his eye was still visible through all the reeds in the landing shots.
Yikes!
This fish looks more than a little startled to suddenly find itself in this predicament…speared on the end of an anhinga’s sharp bill as it pops up out of the marsh!
Saturday Is Crab Night At The Marsh
This alligator went for the blue crab special last night in the salt marsh.
When you hear the crunch, you know the crab is fresh!
Phil Lanoue Photography 