I have just this evening got back from a few days in Suffolk, most of which were spent at Minsmere, where I had the best Bittern experience I have ever had. The new Island Mere hide has a photographer's level underneath the main hide which involves walking through ankle-deep cold water. As I had no wellies or waders, I had to take my shoes and socks off and roll up my trousers; it was bloody freezing! Once you get underneath the hide there are 4 wooden panels which you can open. These have a far better angle than the hide above, although they are still not perfect. However, there are gaps underneath the hide itself, at ground level, and so I poked my lens through them and so could get water levels images (this did involve lying in cold wet mud though! ). The pool in front of the Island Mere hide was frequented by a Bittern in the mornings and evenings, and it was one evening where it gave an incredible display, walking across the front of the hide and ended up no more than 20 feet away from me. Here is one of the images I took towards the beginning of the session.
Techs:
Nikon D300s
Nikon 200-400
Handheld resting on mud
F5.6
1/160s
ISO 500
Please view large
Oscar
Posted by John Robinson on March 31, 2012 at 5:17 PM
Well worth the effort Oscar !!
Like the habitat too.
JR
Posted by Nick Mckeown on March 31, 2012 at 5:18 PM
WOW!!! That has to be the most intimate photo of a bittern I have ever seen.....you feel like you are in the water next to it (come to think of it you pretty much were Oscar! ) The OOf grasses really add to this image. Your cold tootsies and muddy clothing were certainly well worth going through for this image. Simply stunning!
Nick.
Posted by David Sewell on March 31, 2012 at 5:52 PM
They say you appreciate something more if you suffer for it, Oscar, so I guess you will appreciate this image for a long time to come! It's a great shot of a bittern, it may just be me but it does look as though it could do with a very slight clockwise rotation.
David
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 31, 2012 at 7:26 PM
You're only a young chap Oscar - you shouldn't even notice the cold like us rheumatic - ridden fogies
I'd agree with David about the clockwise rotation - but I'll bet you are pleased - great job Oscar
Very nice indeed Oscar -as long as they keep the reeds trimmed to a sensible level, this new feature in the Island hide could be quite productive by the sounds of it.
Posted by Rene de Heer on April 1, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Discussion
16 repliesI have just this evening got back from a few days in Suffolk, most of which were spent at Minsmere, where I had the best Bittern experience I have ever had. The new Island Mere hide has a photographer's level underneath the main hide which involves walking through ankle-deep cold water. As I had no wellies or waders, I had to take my shoes and socks off and roll up my trousers; it was bloody freezing! Once you get underneath the hide there are 4 wooden panels which you can open. These have a far better angle than the hide above, although they are still not perfect. However, there are gaps underneath the hide itself, at ground level, and so I poked my lens through them and so could get water levels images (this did involve lying in cold wet mud though!
Techs:
Nikon D300s
Nikon 200-400
Handheld resting on mud
F5.6
1/160s
ISO 500
Please view large
Oscar
Like the habitat too.
JR
Nick.
David
I'd agree with David about the clockwise rotation - but I'll bet you are pleased - great job Oscar
Congratulations your effort has been rewarded one of the best Bittern shots I've seen.
Next time Oscar get yourself a small roll-up matt for lying on the mud.
TFS
Steve
Rene de Heer
Phil.
Dave
Bob
T