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American Bittern
Many thanks to all those who View, Comment and or Fave My Photos... It is greatly appreciated... Roy
Murky again today, found nothing of interest on a short trip out. 3 more shots of the Bittern taken last Sunday.
First outing in the last 2 months. My two daughters took me out to Botanic Garden this morning to do some birding in my wheel chair. What a fruitful day, came across, this Yellow Bittern, Common Kingfisher and Nesting Sunbird feeding their chicks.
If weather holds will go tomorrow to catch the Common Kingfisher because today pics were blurred due to low shutter speed. Rusty!
Its nice for a change to get one of these in the open, albeit distant. Living near the fen I have many close flight shots, but only a few images like this. Fortunately this bird stayed out, not bothered by my presence for a good twenty minutes, feeling no doubt secure with a wide river between us, Lakenheath.
Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) taken just as it lifted out from the reedbed at RSPB St Aidans yesterday. First time we had seen a Bittern and to capture it at such close quarters was amazing.
Its been 9 yrs. since seeing one but this morning along the Sturgeon river this guy showed up. St.Albert Alberta.
It took four, hot, steamy mornings in the marsh that was thick with mosquitoes to finally have the opportunity to get a good shot of this elusive and secretive Least Bittern. Though it was seen or heard on all four days, it would pick it's way meticulously through the dense reeds, never presenting more than a leg, a bill, a partial head shot, or a tail. It was with great satisfaction and excitement to get this Life Bird Photograph.
Thanks for your help Mike D.
treated to a bittern this time at ladywalk reserve,hams hall,nikon d810 ,nikon 400mm f2.8 lens,nikon tc-17e,thanks for all comments,favs much appreciated
The American bittern is a species of wading bird in the heron family of the Pelican order of bird. It breeds in Canada and the northern and central parts of the United States
You always arrive at St Aidan's in hope rather than expectation of spotting and if lucky photographing a Bittern, I nearly missed this one when trying to work out the approaching shape but managed to grab a couple of shots at the last second before it disappeared into the reeds probably not to be seen again for the rest of the day.
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.
Bitterns are elusive birds with remarkable camouflage markings, so it was a treat to see one close to the dyke on a high tide. For a brief moment this bird emerged from the tall grasses before slipping back into cover and disappearing completely.
I almost stepped on this Bittern when I was looking for sparrows. Managed to get a few shots as it flew off.
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.