An American Bittern out in the open is an extremely rare occurrence for me. So even though I’ve posted photos of this bird once before I thought this unusually cooperative individual deserved some additional exposure.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this one just over three months ago at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. They’re so secretive they’re nearly always buried deeply in the marshes so I couldn’t believe my luck when we found this one out in the open and it actually stayed there as I stopped my pickup along the road next to a canal. The bird watched me carefully for a few moments to make sure I was no threat and then…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
went back to its preening routine that I apparently interrupted. Here it had been scratching its head and neck and I caught the left foot in a somewhat awkward pose that I thought was slightly amusing.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Then just prior to turning to my left and taking off away from me it gave me a nice, leisurely wing stretch.
Due to habitat degradation and loss American Bittern populations have suffered substantial declines throughout much of North America. I may never find such a cooperative bittern again so I thoroughly enjoyed going through some of these images once more.
Admittedly the setting isn’t very attractive but it’s natural and for me the good look at such a shy and elusive bird more than makes up for any aesthetic deficiency in the setting.
Ron
I’ve been so lucky to have these cool birds in a marsh preserve in Philadelphia, John Heinz Ct. I would find him/her in the same wet marsh catching breakfast, along side a beaver. All the while jets taking off in the distance. Unique spot.
Beautiful photos, Ron! I was fortunate enough to find an Ameican Bittern one day last spring – and lucky enough to watch it catch and consume a frog- but my photos show a whole lot of reeds and just a sliver of bird. Well done! That wing stretch is a keeper!
I love the team that you and Mia make.
And am so grateful to see these photos. The Bittern has a great deal more right to ‘pose’ than some of the people I see in front of the camera.
EC, Mia is a better spotter than I am. Her eyes are in better shape than mine and besides I have to drive at least well enough to stay on the road (most of the time…).
This Bittern had to feel fairly comfortable being out in the open like that. Great shots being there at the right time with a Bittern out in the open is what it is all about!
Congratulations!
Thanks, Dick. I couldn’t believe how comfortable this bird was in my presence – very unusual for a bittern.
Great opportunity and photos!
Thank you, Jeri.
This is a wonderful series. Who cares about the background when one can watch this kind of behavior from a normally elusive bird. My eyes are drawn in all of the photos to the bird. I’m happy to see any images you post of of American Bitterns, since they are a bird that has always fascinated me when I’ve seen pictures of them.
I’m glad you enjoyed the series, Susan.
Always special times – when you can observe these birds and review images that capture those moments.
Agreed, Dave.
I agree with Judy….they blend in so well, I’m surprised you spotted it. Our abilty to destroy habitat and the resulting loss of life it causes makes me incredibly sad…it’s just a matter of time before……
Patty, I can’t take credit for spotting the bird. Mia did…
I wondered if Eagle Eyes McPherson was the spotter…you are some team!!!!!
I love the sound of the bittern. Never seen one (other than a flurry of feathers once). Nice shots!
That’s a strange-sounding call, isn’t it, Arwen. It’s the reason that one of their vernacular names is “thunder-pumper”.
When I first heard it, I thought it might be a bullfrog!
Just love the wing stretch photo. It made me want to do a good stretch too – and I did!
I hope you enjoyed your stretch as much as the bird did his (or hers), Gillycat.
What good fortune to find one out in the open and cooperating! 🙂 It is their habitat and certainly shows how they can “blend in”. It is a beautiful bird.
“certainly shows how they can blend in.”
Judy, they’re better at blending than Cuisinart!
Wonderful find and shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Ron: I’ve photographed American Bitterns often in Florida, but NEVER have I taken such a great shot as the wing stretch. Thanks for showing what can happen.
I thought that stretch was fairly unique for the species too, Richard. They’re usually so tightly packed into the reeds that I suspect they’d have difficulty stretching there.
I love these birds and these images. My sister and I spent 2 years looking before we saw our first bittern! Their shyness just make seeing one all the more thrilling! In California, The Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership is working with farmers to provide wetlands along the Pacific Flyway to help support the needs of migrating birds. Hopefully the partnership will be successful and combined with efforts around the world, we’ll start to see a tiny glimmer of hope for our precious and beloved birds.
Sharon, in all my years of photographing birds I believe I’ve only photographed three bitterns and two of them were mostly buried in vegetation. There’s some “out there” but they sure don’t come out where they can be seen very often.