Bittern Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted September 1, 201087 views11 comments

An American Bittern portrait shot earlier this year. Image capture at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, WA

Larger version available, "Thanks for stopping"

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
F/8.0 1/180 ISO 500
auto window with beanbag rest

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on September 1, 2010 at 7:47 AM

This is exquisite! I absolutely love the feather colors and details. Incredible stuff.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on September 1, 2010 at 8:23 AM

Fine portrait, Craig. Nice detail.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 1, 2010 at 8:32 AM

Beautiful portrait Craig, this image shows the cryptic plumage of this species very well.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 1, 2010 at 9:26 AM

Wonderful light and detail, Craig.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 1, 2010 at 9:54 AM

In my book any shot of a bittern is a good one. And a close up portrait is even better. Really good feather detail and a sharp eye. Not to crazy about all the clutter in the background but that's what you typically get when you shoot these guys. Very sweet shot Craig. Cheers

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on September 1, 2010 at 10:01 AM

Craig- Nice portrait with fine details, really well done.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on September 1, 2010 at 4:55 PM

Nice portrait Craig.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 1, 2010 at 7:22 PM

I'm sooo envious of you getting this close to a Bittern Craig. Great look at those wonderful plumage patterns and I like your framing. Very nice portrait.

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

Comment posted by David Shirah on September 1, 2010 at 8:36 PM

Hi,
If you are able to tone down the background a bit, this image will be all the more striking.
dave

Registered on October 31, 2009, 9 Posts, 3 Comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on September 1, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Wow, this is a great portrait, fantastic detail in the feathers and great sharpness. The background is messy but I imagine it's hard to get a shot like this without it given what I know of these birds.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 2, 2010 at 1:01 AM

I like this portrait style presentation, good eye contact and head turn. The one reed directly below his beak merges just a little with that beak unfortunately. A minor nit, perhaps some photoshop could make the reed less apparent? This photo really celebrates the wonderful breast markings. Well done!

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