Taken on Saturday in the morning. I would have much prefered it was more side on, or facing the camera, as it did turn for a brief split second. This is one of the only times I would have wish for a faster motordrive (mine is 5fps) , that said the image presented is about 1/2 frame so may be the greater number of pixels is better. - roll on the next version of Canon hardware in about Sept 2009 - 16/21M @ 10FPS
600mm/Tpod
125/F4/400ASA
Levels and straightened.
Posted by Paul Gibbs on December 8, 2008 at 4:48 AM
Nice Tom, great image of a bird i've never seen. I bet that would look spectacular front on.
Very different. I can't recall ever having seen something like this before. As Pauls mentions, it would have been better if the bird was facing the camera or at least to the side.
Robert.
Posted by Paul Hillion on December 8, 2008 at 6:30 AM
Very nice Tom, and like you say a few more FPS would have obviously made all the difference - still, nevertheless an excellent image!
A Bittern was spotted here in Guernsey yesterday, a pretty rare visitor for us and whilst it's here I'd kill for a shot like this!
A rare opportunity, you did well to get any sort of image let alone one of this quality.
Not too sure what this display is for as I suspect it is used for threat/defence. My best viewing was when a Bittern was out in the open and a Harried flew overhead. The Bittern crouched down shimmered then rose up and finished with this display.
An excellent behavioural shot, well seen and taken.
Posted by Mike Smith on December 8, 2008 at 7:04 AM
Echo all the previous remarks, an extremely rare shot to get in the can, excellent stuff!
Posted by Jeroen Stel on December 8, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Hi Tom,
I have seen a Bittern doing this sort of thing once when a group of loud Geese flew over and i got the shot but then lost it when my external hard drives crashed recently..
I can imagine your joy when he did this! It's amazing how far they can stretch their necks!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Posted by Paul Inglis on December 8, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Hi Tom,
Fanastic behaviourial image! 5fps that's Canon for you! Wished we had a stray Bittern head over this way! Not see one here EVER!
Posted by F.DESMETTE on December 8, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Close, but no cigar Tomi -- ( I know - Tomi )
Frederic
Posted by Magnus Hird on December 8, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Great stuff Tom, never seen one do this, but then have only ever seen 2 or 3 of them. Difficult enough to see, nevermind photograph, never mind photograph doing something like this.
Posted by Mark Sisson on December 8, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Very very nearly Tom - still a great image though but can understand that slight edge of disappointment in your writing.
Be pleased with what you have though as it is unusual behaviour for sure.
Mark
Posted by Colin Pickett on December 8, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Discussion
11 replies600mm/Tpod
125/F4/400ASA
Levels and straightened.
Robert.
A Bittern was spotted here in Guernsey yesterday, a pretty rare visitor for us and whilst it's here I'd kill for a shot like this!
Not too sure what this display is for as I suspect it is used for threat/defence. My best viewing was when a Bittern was out in the open and a Harried flew overhead. The Bittern crouched down shimmered then rose up and finished with this display.
An excellent behavioural shot, well seen and taken.
I have seen a Bittern doing this sort of thing once when a group of loud Geese flew over and i got the shot but then lost it when my external hard drives crashed recently..
I can imagine your joy when he did this! It's amazing how far they can stretch their necks!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Fanastic behaviourial image! 5fps that's Canon for you!
Frederic
Be pleased with what you have though as it is unusual behaviour for sure.
Mark
That's a snub if ever I saw one.