Every now and again you get the chance to photograph a bogey bird. We all have them, species that others get with seeming ease, but somehow seem to pass us by. I remember posting at least four others on here over the years (green woodpecker, redwing, fieldfare and grey partridge) and here, after many years of waiting, is my first attempt at a bittern.
I will be the first to admit it is not my finest shot ever, it is a crop from landscape to portrait, and that after fitting a converter to my 600mm to get the equivalent of 1000mm. Added to that, the hide window was so narrow that not merely could I not use a tripod, it was also too narrow for a beanbag, so I had to rest the lens on the wood of the hide.
All in all, though, I am pleased. Maybe now the next one will come along somewhere where I can use a tripod.
David
Nikon D300, 600mm lens, 1.7x converter, 1/1600 @ f7.1, 400 ISO
Comments
6 commentsI've only ever had one opportunity to photograph a bittern and it was in a busy hide with similar restrictions to those you describe. However, I only had 400mm of lens at my disposal!
Matt
I would be proud to have such an image. Under the circumstances you describe.
JohnR
Congrats on the first, you have every right to be pleased as this is a very good shot of a very secretive bird, I'd be pleased too.
Good work David, and no nits from me.
Andy...