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.
Dancing For Dinner
Tricolored Herons will often rush wildly back and forth and around in circles chasing the little fish that make up a significant portion of their diet.
This past weekend we were entertained by the antics of this active tri that seemed to be dancing his way around the marsh pond!
Nice Crowd
There was a good size group at the marsh pond early this morning just after sunrise. It’s mostly great and snowy egrets but I did spot a tricolored and little blue heron tucked into the crowd as well!
The Race Is On!
An alligator and a black skimmer are neck and neck in a race across the marsh pond.
I think we all know the skimmer would easily win this contest, but sometimes it may be best to just let the alligator win one anyway.
OK, I Get The Point!
This past week I spotted an alligator floating quietly in a back corner of the marsh all by himself. I looked at him for a bit, he looked at me for a bit. He slowly raised his head and face up just out of the water, then quickly bashed it back down making a huge splash!
I took that as a potential ‘leave me alone’ message and his point was well taken. I didn’t bother him any further…
“Don’t Give Me That Look!”
Yesterday afternoon this osprey flew right over my head and gave me a look which I didn’t particularly care for.
It sure could be worse though, I would hate to be a fish and peer up through the water and see this bird glaring down at me with that look on it’s face!
Spoonbills Did Arrive But…
Yesterday afternoon we had four roseate spoonbills show up in the marsh pond right on time! Last year on June 29 five showed up and then yesterday on June 29, we had these four arrive exactly right on the same day.
The spoonies stayed in a far back corner of the pond until early evening when they all took off at once and did one huge long circle around the entire marsh area. I was only able to get these flight shots from a considerable distance because once they settled down it was again at the far back edge of the pond and also too far away for photos.
The bad news is that they could not be found anywhere in the marsh area this morning or early afternoon so far, and it’s possible they were just passing through. I will continue to check in hopes that they or some of their friends return and hopefully stay through the summer.
“Just Don’t Get Any Crazy Ideas”
A great egret stares down this young alligator in the salt marsh yesterday evening. The egret was fairly sure the gator was only interested in snacking on some fish, but was keeping a close watch anyway in case the youngster got any funny ideas.
A wading bird like this egret will often be attracted to an area where an alligator is feeding because the gator will get the fish all stirred up and in a panic which makes the fish easier to grab.
Evening Meal
Last night I was watching this anhinga fishing in the marsh pond. Not sure if this is a female or a juvenile but it was quite skilled at catching fish. I saw it catch several in just a short amount of time, and all while dodging alligators that were floating around in the area
Phil Lanoue Photography 