American Bittern

Gallery: AvianPosted December 5, 2011224 views15 comments

Sorry for the absence, but there was just so much going on in life that I needed to cut back a bit on some things. I have been out shooting a lot since the weather cooled off and will hopefully have some time to post many of my favorites from the several weeks.

It is hard to find this species, but I happened to be in the right place when several migratory birds showed up and started looking for good winter living quarters. They were flying all over the place the particular morning.

I like the position of the bird, light, and BG in this shot.

Please view the larger version for max details

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x tc
ISO 800
1/3200s
f/7.1
hand held
65% of FF

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on December 5, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Ron, Great Image to come back with. Great flight shot of a bird which is hard to capture anywhere especially out in my area. Good detail and exposure is right on. I like the background which shows a marshy habitat.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 5, 2011 at 7:21 PM

Terrific! Great detail; nice flight pose; excellent setting and background.

I've seen this elusive species in at least six states but I don't have any photos of any of them.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 5, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Excellent. The bird looks great and the OOF habitat for background is perfect. Nice flight posture and I really like the even lighting. A top notch flight shot of an elusive subject.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Jude Haase on December 5, 2011 at 8:16 PM

Beautiful flight capture Ron!!

Registered on April 3, 2006, 236 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on December 5, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Hard enough to find and photograph when on the ground, but flight shots are really tough. I've nothing but praise for this. Wish I had one nearly this good.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 5, 2011 at 9:17 PM

Never an easy find nor an easy shot - great focus and nice background with lovely colors on the bird

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 5, 2011 at 9:41 PM

Great catch, background is excellent. Nice detail on the bird too.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on December 5, 2011 at 9:46 PM

I'm green with envy! I've never even seen one much less gotten a nice sharp flight photo of one in good light with good separation from the background!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 5, 2011 at 9:57 PM

so nice, Ron. really sharp and a perfect setting. love the comp too. I sure don't live in bittern country but I can't imagine many people even get to see them in flight let alone catch an image this nice.

welcome back--nice to see you--I've not been around either but hope to be more this winter.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 5, 2011 at 10:24 PM

Judging by the other comments this is as rare as sighting the equivalent in Europe, the only one I saw there wason a rural canal in France, to get one flying must be a very rare moment

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 5, 2011 at 11:10 PM

Wonderful shot Ron, amazing flight image for a bird that I have only seen pictures of on the ground. Good detail and look on the larger image and the background really adds to the image, well done. I was just checking your blog today, excellent shot.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 6, 2011 at 11:40 AM

I agree, nice BG..And the great exposure/light has helped show us some excellent color as well.
Good details, well done.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on December 6, 2011 at 12:12 PM

Tough enough to get a clear shot on the ground, let alone in the air like this. Nicely done!

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 6, 2011 at 5:36 PM

Very well done, Ron. I really like the BG in this.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on December 7, 2011 at 9:08 AM

Outstanding image Ron. Love the background and the intense look on the face of the heron.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments