Earlier in the day when this shot was taken, 9.30 am, I had been checking on a small lake I knew off, when I came across an adult European bittern, but it was tucked tight into the bank and under some scrub frees, the only shooting angle was downwards at 45 degrees and with flash.
I decided to turn down the shot, and return later, but this time to the far side of the lake, where I knew there was an area where I believed they might well come out to feed, and where the lighting would be far more favourable.
This shot, plus one other, was taken at 6.00 pm on far side of lake to first sighting.
Glad to see your intuition and patience paid off Ray. Looks like a pretty tricky spot to get an image, what with so much vegetation surrounding the bittern.
A bird I've yet to see let alone photograph.
Is this from Lesvos 2008?
Posted by John Robinson on January 2, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Nice shot.
Is this cropped ? - and is the "250" you mention, lens FL or shutter speed ?
JR
Posted by Lee Newman on January 3, 2009 at 5:12 AM
Well done. It is a good looking image & it shows that patience pays off (eventually)
Lee
Posted by Rob Fisher on January 3, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Ray,
Great image well done.
I may be tempted to crop a little from the top of the image to move the eye from the middle of the frame.
Rob
Posted by Fran French on January 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Never managed to get a bittern myself yet, another on my wishlist!
I like the setting and the thought behind this image.. but for me it is not quite there.... it shouts autofocus composition to me with the main point of focus dead centre... it needs less space at the top and more on the right for the comp to work for me....
Posted by Magnus Hird on January 5, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Your knowledge of the habitat and behaviour has paid off
Discussion
7 repliesI decided to turn down the shot, and return later, but this time to the far side of the lake, where I knew there was an area where I believed they might well come out to feed, and where the lighting would be far more favourable.
This shot, plus one other, was taken at 6.00 pm on far side of lake to first sighting.
80-400 @ 250, tripod mounted, from car, electrical cable release used.
A bird I've yet to see let alone photograph.
Is this from Lesvos 2008?
Is this cropped ? - and is the "250" you mention, lens FL or shutter speed ?
JR
Lee
Great image well done.
I may be tempted to crop a little from the top of the image to move the eye from the middle of the frame.
Rob
Your patience has paid off well Ray.
Fran