Bittern Calling

While at the Ridgefield NWR this morning I came across this American Bittern calling for his/her mate. I assume breakfast was finished and now were looking for companionship. The males usually throw out white feathers on the back of each shoulder during mating season and this one had none but could still be a male. After shooting some stills I decided to try and get a short video of the calling as it is often heard when they are hidden in grasses but seldom seen. The bittern initiates their distinct call by crouching down and then throwing the head and neck forward, exhaling and making a "ker-plunk" sound. You can also hear the upper and lower beak "clicking."
If your interested in seeing and hearing the calling you can view a short video on my website by clicking BITTERN CALLING http://www.craigstrandphotography.com/p879369337/h5d144a1e#h5d144a1e I apologize for the noisy wind picked up by my cameras microphone I will have to get a better external mike. Also current refuge rules require that visitors remain in auto's so the lens is resting on a window beanbag with some movement.
Thanks for stopping, Larger image available!

canon 7D
canon 600mm f/4.L
F/8 -0.5 1/350 ISO 100

I have never heard that sound. If I hadn't seen the Bittern on the video, I would not have thought it was making it. (I also like the red wing blackbird calls). Thanks for posting it. I do like the above image, especially the larger photo.

I love that noise they make; sounds like an old-fashioned water pump to me. Amazing this guy was happy to show off in the daylight out in the open. Nice photo!

That's very cool Craig! I've never heard the bittern call before and probably wouldn't have associated the sound with a bird.

Nice pose and capture Craig!