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.
Not Fast Enough
Recently I watched this snowy egret excitedly break into a full run in the salt marsh during low tide. The snowy had seen something for sure, likely a fish, and was in a hurry to get it. Unfortunately, snowball must have arrived just a fraction of a second too late because he came with nothing but water for all his effort!
Wet But Happy
I went over to the marsh today hoping the eagle may be out creating his usual mayhem with the pond ducks but there was nothing at all going on.
So arriving home empty handed got me looking into some file photos I had taken previously, and this mink photo popped up at me. I forgot I even took this picture of a wet mink that just emerged from the marsh with a nice fresh caught fish in his mouth. The little mink was lit by early morning winter sunlight as it paused briefly with it’s catch before scampering off to a nearby den.
Initiating Landing Procedure
This white ibis really puts on the brakes to prevent a hard landing in the marsh pond last week. It looks like that full wings out position in photo two is the one that significantly drops down the air speed to enable a vertical landing. Nice job by the ibis!
Pelicans Hit The Salt Marsh
This afternoon I arrived at the salt marsh during high tide and was greeted by a small group of adult brown pelicans actively fishing. Brown pelicans are elegant flyers but they always seem to risk life and limb utilizing their fishing technique which is to dive head first into the water. However it is always interesting and entertaining to watch these big birds in action!
Rough Day For Fishing
On one of our recent very cold days, this great blue heron patrols the freezing salt marsh in search of a fish. Even though the weather is bad, the birds still have to be out there hunting if they want a meal.
The heron caught no fish on this attempt, so he flew off across the reeds turned brown by winter in search of better fishing grounds…
The Quintet
Earlier this week we had a nice looking group of five white pelicans floating around in the marsh pond. Always love seeing these big guys!
Unwanted Baggage…
Earlier this week I glanced up and noticed this hawk zipping by quickly above me as I stood on the edge of the marsh. It was not until I looked at the images later that I realized the bird was trailing something behind it. I believe it is fishing line and if that’s the case it may have a hook stuck in it somewhere. Many times I have seen pelicans with hooks and fishing lures stuck in them and that’s often of a result of how they fish and glide low just above the ocean near shore where they get snagged by people surf fishing.
I don’t know how a hawk got snagged but I hope he can work free of it…
Incoming Flight
Earlier this week I watched an adult brown pelican come gliding in from out over the salt marsh. Soon he was joined topside by a friend, then flew solo again across the water.
Phil Lanoue Photography 