Flying Bittern

Gallery: AvianPosted March 14, 2011119 views7 comments

This American Bittern was hunched down in a small tidal channel at Bolsa Chica Eco Reserve in California. At first we thought that it was ill or injured because it was not acting like it had previously when it showed up. But it sprang up and took off a few feet into a fairly open area. It was nice to see that it was OK. With the crowd gathering, I thought it would takeoff and it did. I got my best Bittern images to date. The image was a bit too light so I darkened it, increased the blacks and sharpened. I am still learning post processing and shooting as well. Crop shows 45% of original.

Comments are appreciated.

03-12-2011 3:08 a.m.
Canon 7D
300 2.8L
f/6.3
1/320
ISO 400
Metering = spot
Tripod

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 14, 2011 at 12:43 PM

Harry,
Exceptional shot of a very elusive bird and boy, did you nail this one. One of the best bittern images I have ever seen. Exceptional image Harry.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 14, 2011 at 1:04 PM

The wing pattern of this Bittern is beautiful and you've shown it well.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on March 14, 2011 at 1:31 PM

Sweet flight image Harry, the detail is quite good, especially for 1/320 - nice job. I love the colors and textures on the wing and the nice sharp eye. The BG gives a nice sense of place/habitat, but I do find it a bit distracting. Great capture of an elusive bird.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 14, 2011 at 4:37 PM

I like that you got the bittern in flight as this is a picture you do not see very often. Good wing detail and colors on the larger image, the head does look a little soft compared too the wings but good job in getting this flight shot, way too go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 14, 2011 at 4:57 PM

Nice flight shot of the Bittern. The larger image is much better because you can see the detail in the bird. It would have helped if the background was a little more out of focus.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 15, 2011 at 12:04 AM

Excellent timing Harry :^) And, by the looks of things, you nailed it in post processing, as the detail and colours in the feathers and wings are quite simply superb, very well done :^)

Kind regards,

Ashley

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on March 16, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Nice flight shot!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments