American Bittern

Gallery: AvianPosted December 11, 201195 views9 comments

The morning air at the refuge was cold, even frosty, but the early sun encouraged lots of birds to venture out in search for food. I was really pleased with the early morning light and how accurately it showed the gorgeous natural colors of this American Bittern.

Larger version available, "Thanks for stopping!"

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
F/9.0 -0.33 1/250 ISO 100
auto window beanbag rest, cable, cooperative bittern, CS5, LR3, NIKs suite

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on December 11, 2011 at 11:03 PM

Really nice getting this Bittern in the open yet showing the typical habitat. Composition is spot on IMOP.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on December 11, 2011 at 11:46 PM

Totally jealous! Never even seen one of these! Nice sharp image, well framed. I like the horizontal format. I kind of wish there was a bit more room below the bird but that's just my taste based on where I see the leg.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 12, 2011 at 7:16 AM

A nice comp Craig. Very natural looking. A bit more room on the bottom for the feet would be nice, but a big issue with me.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 12, 2011 at 9:13 AM

great details and habitat, Craig, and a really nice clean look at the bird. agree that a little more room for the feet/legs would be good, but a pretty minor suggestion.

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on December 12, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Bittern stands out so well that the "busy" background is not an issue, Great pose shown in the babitat I usually see them -- goo djob

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 12, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Nice subject and setting. I too would like a bit more space in the bottom leeft.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 12, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Very nice image with great separation of bird from background. They are hard to catch in the open at all. Great eye contact and I like the habitat crossing at the chest. You comment on the accuracy of the color of the bittern, but I can't help but feel that it needs just a tiny boost in contrast or maybe vibrance. You saw it though, and are more likely to be right.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 13, 2011 at 7:21 PM

I like the impression I get that the bittern is emerging from its habitat - something I seldom see them do. I agree about more room at bottom.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on December 14, 2011 at 6:56 PM

Thanks to everyone that has taken time to view and leave a comment or critique.
I hate to disappoint and while several suggestions were left wishing for more room at the bottom for the feet, their wasn't any more "feet or Leg" showing. If their was I would not have cropped this so tightly in the LL corner. The heron was stationary in this position for at least 20 minutes and so their wasn't a change of catching him walking with a raised foot.
Thank you again for your participation! Craig

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments