Some comment has been made, as to whether the performance I witnessed was to do with, courtship, defence or aggression.
I am starting to come to the conclusion, that it’s a mixture of at least two, courtship/aggression, if not all three.
The stance shown here, could definitely be interpreted as saying, “Here I am, I’m big and strong and in my prime.” Intimidating to another male, but attractive to a female. Assuming this is a male.
The previous post , “shimmering”, could easily be the result of the Bittern catching its own reflection, and adopting this behaviour, as it does when it meets another of its own kind, and the “other” birds reaction, determines the next step.
All of this is just pure conjecture tho’.
After shimmering” shot, this is the next pose it adopted. Still no catch light.
80-400 @ 250mm, 1/125 @ f8, tripod mounted, from car, electrical cable release used. Full frame.
You’ll be pleased to know we are getting towards the end now.
Posted by Sam Mannaerts on January 13, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Posted by Ian Mason on January 13, 2009 at 7:01 PM
How unusual! This has been a super series of bitterns (never seen one). I'm aware my monitor hasn't been calibrated for ages, but the colours on this one look a bit strange to me. I can't be any more specific, but I remember a similar observation on one of your images in the past. Presumably it's something in processing - maybe someone else will have an idea.
Posted by Mike Smith on January 14, 2009 at 2:20 AM
I think will be a territorial display/submission. We regularly get two and even up to four wintering Bitterns on the Theale and Wokingham gravel pit complexes, at one site there is a scratchy little bit of reedbed no more than 20 yards long that regularly holds two bittern in Winter. There is frequently a dominance interaction shown between the birds - you can't call it fighting as its over so quickly. As its not in the open it is hard to see precisiely what is going on, but teh larger bird usually dominates over younger/smaller bird
Unfortunately the reedbeds are far too far away for any photographic opportunities
Mike
Posted by John Chapman on January 14, 2009 at 5:33 AM
Well caught Ray.
Posted by David Kjaer on January 14, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Discussion
9 repliesI am starting to come to the conclusion, that it’s a mixture of at least two, courtship/aggression, if not all three.
The stance shown here, could definitely be interpreted as saying, “Here I am, I’m big and strong and in my prime.” Intimidating to another male, but attractive to a female. Assuming this is a male.
The previous post , “shimmering”, could easily be the result of the Bittern catching its own reflection, and adopting this behaviour, as it does when it meets another of its own kind, and the “other” birds reaction, determines the next step.
All of this is just pure conjecture tho’.
After shimmering” shot, this is the next pose it adopted. Still no catch light.
80-400 @ 250mm, 1/125 @ f8, tripod mounted, from car, electrical cable release used. Full frame.
You’ll be pleased to know we are getting towards the end now.
Nice shot!
grtz,
Sam
Unfortunately the reedbeds are far too far away for any photographic opportunities
Mike
Certainly a bit of a poser - nice one!
David
Definately an interesting pose ( though not my favourite ever bittern shot).
I would be happy with this though if I had a number of other poses as well. (I will now go and look at your other bittern images.)
Cheers
Looks like he is posing for the camera
Lee