View allAll Photos Tagged bittern
Bitterns are a conservation success story as they were heading for extinction in Britain 28 years ago with just 20 breeding pairs in 1990 and a downward trajectory. New reedbeds were created and old reedbeds were rewetted and the population is now cruising towards 200 breeding pairs (164 booming males at 71 sites last year). There are strong populations in East Anglia and Somerset, and they are breeding in North, South, East and West Yorkshire. South Yorkshire is where I photographed this one. When they are nesting in reedbeds it is usually the females that are seen as they make regular feeding flights over the reeds. Once males have mated they play no further part in incubation or chick rearing.
The scientific name Botaurus stellaris is interesting. Botaurus combines two words for bull; Bos and Taurus. Relating to the deep booming noise made by males which also gives rise to folk names like Bull of the Bog. Stellaris means of the stars, supposedly because of the yellow star-like spangles on the upperparts.
This is what a Least Bittern portrait looks like when taken with 700 mm at about 15 feet. When I got to Green Cay yesterday, I realized that I still had the converter attached to my 500 mm lens but forgot to bring the end caps with me, so I couldn't remove the converter without the danger of soiling its glass. Too much glass but had to get the best out of the situation.
Canon EOS 7D, EF500 4L IS USM, Canon 1.4X Converter II, Focal Length 700 mm, F5.6, 1/800, ISO 400.
Bitterns are masters of camouflage. These herons like to stand absolutely still, blending in with the reeds around them with their beaks pointing up. They are very hard to spot, so I was lucky to get a few photos of this one in the marsh at Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho.
This least bittern was photographed with it's breakfast at Winding Waters Natural Area in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prints, and much more, are available on my website at www.tom-claud.pixels.com.
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I never get tired of running into these marsh stalkers, this one made me wait about 15 minutes for it to decide that I wasn't a threat and move into the open.
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Was so pleased to see this Bittern walk right in front of us across the many reed beds, right place, right time!
I was scanning the main lake at Summer Leys when this bittern burst out of the reeds right in my eyeline. It flew off towards one of the islands, so off I raced to the other hide. It wasn't on show when I got there but then it appeared out of the reeds and walked slowly across the island
A bird usually found in marshes and one that is not very easy to see, as it usually had its head held upright so as to blend in with the reeds and grasses..
I spotted the Bittern landing in the reeds at Willband Creek Park. It moved into the reeds being mostly hidden. Another one popped out a short distance away and preceeded to do some preening. Another popped out on the other side from where the first one landed and this one I am pretty sure must be a juvenile.
RSPB Lakenheath (Suffolk). I'd done with Weeting by just after 10 so went to nearby Lakenheath, endured the long march up to the joist fen viewpoint, and in 90 minutes had 4 crane flights (distant), the resident swarm of 35-40 Hobby's (mostly distant but close from time to time) and 3 bittern flights. Of these, i flunked one, one was too much in to the sun, and one was perfect. Overall, a smashing day. Thanks for any likes/comments - appreciated.
straight over my head managed several shots of the bittern at five different spots at lakenheath fen
American Bittern
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It was a very cold day today. The sky was dead but by the time I got deep into the countryside the sky started talking. I thought by the direction the clouds were coming in I would go and visit this old friend that lives on the hill. The sky followed me and I was able to get a few shots of her. She is very old but still holds court like a Queen!
A few more photos from my trip today to Willband Creek Park.
My thanks to Len for finding and pointing it out.
Ixobrychus minutus. Quinta do Lago. Um abraço ao companheiro Romão Machado. Captada com objectiva Canon 300 mm f/2.8 + teleconversor 2.
4464 Bittern 'streaks' through Loversall with the Kings Cross-York 'Cathedrals Express', 4.12.14. As can be seen from the exhaust trail, it was really rattling along, so much so that even 1/800th of a sec wasn't quite fast enough to produce a pin sharp image.
I encountered this most cooperative Least Bittern in Green Cay the other day. He gave me several poses before he went back into seclusion.
Canon EOS 7D, EF500 4L IS USM, Canon 1.4X Converter II, Focal length 700 mm, F5.6, 1/800, ISO 500
I was surprised when this Bittern stepped into the water and started swimming. I had not seen that before.
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This is a small species at 36 to 38 cm (14 to 15 in) in length, with a short neck and longish bill. The male is uniformly dull yellow above and buff below. The head and neck are chestnut, with a black crown. The female's crown, neck and breast are streaked brown, and the juvenile is like the female but heavily streaked brown below, and mottled with buff above. Yellow bitterns feed on insects, fish and amphibians.
-Wikipedia
Bittern, Botaurus stellaris
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