Least Bittern

Gallery: AvianPosted June 2, 2011122 views15 comments

D300, 500mm f/4 + 1.4x tc supported by bean bag on car window.
1/1600 s, f/7.1, ISO 320. Cropped to 70% of full frame.
Photo taken May 15, 2011 at Anahuac NWR in Texas. The area was in drought conditions and water levels in the bayous meandering through the marshes were low. The reeds and grasses used by secretive birds such as rails and bitterns were several yards from the water. Consequently, the birds were fully exposed while feeding on minnows and crayfish.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 2, 2011 at 10:27 AM

Great color and very sharp image. Like the green surrounding the bird.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on June 2, 2011 at 1:06 PM

very nice image viewing large is great there is some good detail

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 2, 2011 at 1:38 PM

Unusual to see one in such an open situation - a nice change of pace. Very nice detail.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on June 2, 2011 at 3:26 PM

Wow, you've been very productive lately, huh?
Good one, I'd also like to know how you found this guy in the open. Really like this with all the detail in the bird, and a bg that compliments it.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 2, 2011 at 4:58 PM

I like this very much Dave. The bittern stands out so well against that darker background and the detail is excellent. Nice light and comp too. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 2, 2011 at 7:12 PM

The Bittern stands out very well David.
Great detail, POV, and comp..
Good job of getting em' out in the open, and isolated in the frame so nicely.
Well done

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 2, 2011 at 7:29 PM

Beautiful, David! Great light and I love the pose and bg.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on June 2, 2011 at 8:45 PM

Your larger version really shows nice detail compared to the small one. Amazing to get one this out in the open! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 2, 2011 at 9:41 PM

Wow, David. I really love this image. The richness of colors here is great in both the bird and in the background. Nice detail in every aspect of the bird. Way to go.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 2, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Much more striking and detailed in the larger version, well worth clicking on it for those that haven't. Very well done David :^)

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 3, 2011 at 10:38 PM

Very nice! Love the comp.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 4, 2011 at 8:04 AM

Love seeing bitterns out in the open. Nice one David - love the pose

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM

Nice one. Great pose and cop as well as dof for a nice bg I love the moss at the feet too