Water Rail-Rallus aquaticus

Whilst out looking for Bitterns today wich i did not find unfortunately i came across this handsome chap...

greetings,

Jeroen Stel

Canon Eos 1D Mark IV
Shutter speed: 1/200 sec
Aperture: F 4
Exposure mode: AV
Exposure compensation: + 2/3
Flash:no
Flash exposure compensation:
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: AI Focus
ISO: 800
Lens: Canon 600mm F4
Focal length:780 mm
AF mode: Auto Focus
On Tripod and Wimberley Head
Levels/Curves/USM/Contrast/Saturation/Noise Ninja/Home stewed Sharpening-mix/ Adobe Photoshop CS5

The snow or frost in the background makes the bird stand out nicely from the surroundings. I know it isn't a bittern, but I for one would be far from unhappy with this!

David

Nice perching shot Jeroen.
I've never managed one actually off the ground yet !
JohnR

Jeroen

Only ever heard them as yet never seen in the flesh or feather.
Nice image.

Well captured, I've never seen one either.

Geoff.

Lovely Jeroen. The most I ever see is a water rail's backside disappearing into the reeds, if I am lucky!

Yes unusual to see one actually fully out of the reeds. Well captured Jeroen.

Lovely clear shot - I'm another one who hasn't had the pleasure of seeing one.

Jeroen fine capture of the whole bird and the snow in the bg really makes it.
Keith.

Nice work Jeroen!
Paul.

You were very fortunate with the snow Jeroen as a snowless scene would have probably given a distracting (though accurate for the species) background. Nice one.

Clear and very nice shot of this beautiful bird.