American Bittern & Dragonfly

Gallery: AvianPosted June 27, 20081,653 views25 comments

A sudden candid moment. The Bittern missed and the dragonfly got away. I had been on this bird for over an hour and he had not moved a feather until then. Cropped vertical from horizontal.

Thanks for looking.

Best,

Jose

D300 - 200~400VR + 1.4xTC - 1/1000s @ F5.7 - ISO 200

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 27, 2008 at 5:52 PM

I love this Jose. Wonderful interaction and great that you got both bird and insect sharp esp with all the foreground grass.

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

Comment posted by Durwood Edwards on June 27, 2008 at 6:26 PM

This is better than had the bird caught the bug.
Nice moment!

Registered on December 8, 2006, 116 Posts, 394 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 27, 2008 at 6:58 PM

That's great Jose, I love how the bittern is looking at the dragonfly.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 27, 2008 at 7:12 PM

A Wowser for sure! Terrific image.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on June 27, 2008 at 7:50 PM

Great image Jose and great timing too!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on June 27, 2008 at 8:21 PM

The eyes have it! Fabulous moment captured. Way cool.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Mary McGonigal on June 27, 2008 at 8:45 PM

Perfect moment, great catch!

Registered on September 16, 2007, 103 Posts, 516 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Tomalty on June 27, 2008 at 8:47 PM

Wow this is a great action shot. The tension is palpable.
Cheers
Rick T

Registered on October 11, 2006, 212 Posts, 1610 Comments

Comment posted by Larry McFerrin on June 27, 2008 at 9:03 PM

This is great Jose! I've never seen a Bittern attempt to capture insects out of the air. Well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 34 Posts, 272 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on June 27, 2008 at 9:17 PM

Neat capture, Jose. your patience paid off. good timing too.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 27, 2008 at 10:14 PM

Great image, Jose. I love the environment and the bird's attitude is fantastic. Wonderful moment you captured. To top it off, you had beautiful light and the techs look perfect.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Alex Mody on June 27, 2008 at 10:44 PM

What a moment to have captured. I feel like this almost has a comical quality to it. Very nice! Did you get any more?

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 28, 2008 at 1:21 AM

Oh wow, how cool is that. Outstanding for its technically quality but especially the dragonfly focal point.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on June 28, 2008 at 11:58 AM

What a great shot. You don't get those opportunities very often, and you sure made the most of it. Excellent!

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on June 28, 2008 at 2:20 PM

Awesome timing, indeed. I love everything about this shot, and especially the intensity of the Bittern's stare. This is exceptional.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM

Great shot Jose, and congrats on the EP!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on June 30, 2008 at 8:24 PM

This is just wonderful Jose - congrats on the EP and the great shot.

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on June 30, 2008 at 8:29 PM

Congrats on the well earned EP, the detail/sharpness in all the key areas is wonderful

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by William Brozy on June 30, 2008 at 8:42 PM

Congrats on the well-deserved EP. Amazing image Jose. Excellent work!!!

Registered on November 9, 2003, 559 Posts, 2929 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on July 1, 2008 at 3:11 AM

Great shot Jose - congrats on the EP!

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 1, 2008 at 4:40 AM

Priceless image Jose, congrats!