Phil Lanoue Photography

A Pleasant Late Evening Walk

Late last night just as we were leaving the marsh area I happened to take a quick glance to my left where I thought I saw something, ah, I mean someone, lurking in the weeds at the pond’s edge. Sure enough, it turned out to be our good buddy Mr. A who was just about to begin a happy evening stroll over to the salt marsh side.

He was taking his time and simply enjoying a pleasant summer evening. I watched as he made his way out onto the marsh mud at low tide and the last I saw of him he was heading farther back into the reeds where he will likely pick out a nice relaxing spot for himself.

The Kids Get Up Early

Juvenile Tricolored Herons are very colorful birds, and quite active as well. I photographed these youngsters on two different mornings and they were both on the go the entire time. Fishing and flying above the marsh were the main activities that kept the crimson hued young herons constantly active.

I guess just like kids everywhere, they have the energy to get a nice early start on their day, which can always provide the potential for another exciting adventure!

Quiet Evening Swim

Here’s our good pal Mr. A enjoying a nice leisurely float in a side corner of the marsh that’s being lit by warm setting sunlight.

Dinner To Go

This anhinga caught himself a nice size fish and decided to take it to go. Well almost…

Anhingas fish by swimming under water and spearing a fish on the end of their sharp bill. Then normally they flip the fish up off their bill and eat it right there in the water while swimming along. It’s possible for the bird to flip a fish and lose it back into the water. This guy must have decided he didn’t want to take any chances with the evening’s main course so he took it out of the water, climbed up onto the grassy bank at the edge of the marsh, and finished his entrée on land.

The anhinga didn’t end up going too far with his takeaway meal, but it was more of an order to go then usual!

White On Blue

A great egret makes a late afternoon flight just above the water in the salt marsh. This bird had a serious look on his face as if he had an important meeting on the other side of the marsh. Perhaps his mate was waiting for him…or maybe he just needed to chase some other bird away from his fishing area!

Pelican Fly And Pose

This young brown pelican took off from the salt marsh and made a short flight hop to the edge where he briefly stopped and posed for a portrait.

Nice looking youngster with a very impressive nose! Uh, I mean bill! 🙂

This Stump Ain’t Big Enough For The Three Of Us…

Two snowy egrets were sitting quietly on a stump out in the marsh when a third suddenly came flying in to join the group. Apparently the stump can only accommodate two at a time because the guy in the upper spot got all fired up and bent out of shape at the new arrival. But since the ruckus made the bird in the lower level immediately leave, all was back to being right with the world!