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Bittern With Vole

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by Alan Bryant on December 13, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Bittern With Vole
1DMKIV
500 f4 L
ISO 1250
1/640 @ f/8
Full frame with a sliver taken off the left & bottom for comp

Bit of info about the shot:
After 4 hours of waiting in a hide for any sighns of a Bittern i couldn't believe my luck when this chap appeared right infront of me in the reeds edge.The camo they have when in the reeds is amazing, you could blink and it would vanish. Well after another hour of watching him hunting(well staying motionless scanning the ground and moving very slowly now and again) he came out of the reeds(couldn't believe my luck again) and patrolled along the edge. Then all of a sudden he did a body wiggle before snapping up a vole.It was amazing to watch.

Though the only thing that was abit disturbing, was the screaming the vole was making when he was being killed. It wasn't a nice sound. I can still hear it now(i might need counselling lol)

*larger version included*

Thanks for looking and for your comments
Posted by Robert Lawrence on December 13, 2011 at 3:40 PM
A fantastic capture Alan. A moment well caught and in great detail. It just goes to show that fortune favours those who wait.
Posted by John Robinson on December 13, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Great stuff Alan. Good for the ISO too !!
Shame about "ratty" though :frown: :frown: :frown:
JohnR
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 13, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Stunning image of a most rare and elusive bird. Used to spend hours waiting for one to show at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve and was delighted to see them at a distance.......to get a shot like this.......WOW.

Nick :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :wavey: :smile:
Posted by Dave Bartlett on December 13, 2011 at 4:38 PM
Great piece of natural history and a splendid shot. Certainly worth the wait :toast:

Dave
Posted by Phil Ellard on December 13, 2011 at 5:27 PM
very nice :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Bob Johnson on December 14, 2011 at 3:40 AM
Stunning capture. A just reward for your patience :wink:

Bob :smile:
Posted by David Sewell on December 14, 2011 at 4:49 AM
Amazing capture, and definitely worth the wait. I have seen pictures of bitterns eating great crested newts before now, so they seem to specialise in protected wildlife. :wink:

David
Posted by Neil Burton on December 14, 2011 at 5:12 AM
Thats the kind of vole shot I like :toast:
Posted by Matt Cole on December 15, 2011 at 9:39 AM
an excellent behavioural shot, it must have been quite something to see (although as you say a little disturbing!)

Matt :toast:
Posted by David Kjaer on December 15, 2011 at 11:43 AM
A bit special Alan

David :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by keith mitchell on December 15, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Alan a rare moment very well caught in this excellent image.

Keith.
Posted by Mike Smith on December 15, 2011 at 4:09 PM
As others have remarked a bit special this one, :toast: :toast: