American Bittern

[wildlightphoto]

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Friday's weather forecast for a late-season winter storm in the Sierra Nevada mountains and spring migrant birds establishing nesting territories in the marshes of the Sierra Valley north of Lake Tahoe got me thinking "This could be fun".

 

I photographed several species but the highlight was a very cooperative American Bittern. The American Bittern is a secretive member of the Heron family (Ardeidae) ordinarily heard more often than seen. Their normal habitat is dense marshes of cattail and bullrush where the bird's cryptic coloration and habit of standing with is bill extended skyward helps it disappear.

 

Technical stuff (all photos): R8/DMR, shoulder stock & monopod. First two photos made with 560mm f/6.8 Novoflex Telyt, third made with 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt + 1.4x APO-Extender-R. All comments welcome.

[gearoido]

Mr. Herr,

 

Lovely clear shots of this elusive bird. They are seldom seen in our part of the world, but as Audubon suggests there could be many more considering their shy ways.

 

GaryO

[topoxforddoc]

Doug,

 

The first shot is sublime. The water drops and the background give this image the feel of a fine painting. Truly lovely.

 

Best wishes,

[leicamann]

Very nice Doug and following by your own precepts.. get that environmental shot!!

 

The lazy spring snow gives an added grace to #1, but the whole set is super.

 

Thanks for sharing

 

Cheers, JRM

[pauledell]

Doug,

 

A superb series. Like most everyone, I like the first version the most.

 

Paul

[stuny]

Doug -

 

Wonderful, as usual.