Something wicked this way comes...

Strange behavior for a shore bird, but typical for an American Bittern I would guess. Another first for me.


1. 1/1250s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso400

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

Stealth Mode in action...Great series. Wonderful behavioral shots.

LOL, nice shots!

Indeed!

Creeping around makes interesting behaviour Dennis as I also believes it sticks it's neck up to resemble a reed when it believes there is danger about. Great series and congrats on your first of the American Bittern.

Your right, that's what drew my attention to it. Thanks Ted for the comments.

Thats was funny, the bittern ended with a tiny killifish and there are larger fish in the marsh. Thanks Tina for taking time to comment.

Thanks Tony for your comments. I have seen photos of that behavior, but as you can see this was in the middle of the mud flats during a minus tide and no reeds. I must have taken some thirty photos.

Nice series of this guy searching out a meal. I guess he started out with the little ones and worked his way up to a larger catch, ot he figure, I'll just get whats available at the time. Now that I think of it, it sounds like me when I'm out looking for my shots.
Nice series and I really like the angles. Well done Dennis!

And have you heard the noise they make? Turns your blood cold.

Great series, Dennis! Congrats on finding the bittern.

Some really nice shots of a bird I'm dying to photograph! That's awesome the way it stalks around. I've only seen fleeting glances of bitterns and it's driving me nuts. And Dewmuw is right, they make one of the coolest (and creepiest) sounds in the bird world. Listen to it here

Thanks Keith, I saw the bittern take several killifish, perhaps many make up for the one large fish that got away.

Thanks, no I had not heard them call.

Thanks Joe, the bird variety is now on the increase. Are you going to be back this winter?

Thanks Bob, I did listen the recorded sound. I have yet to hear that in the wild, if I do, I think I would recogize now.

I love the one with the fish! So sharp!

Great captures and congrats on another 1st.

Excellent captures here Dennis ...love the whole series. What a great bird and is it ever focused. Looks like you got pretty low on the angle which is nice. Numbers 2, 5 and 8 are my favourites.

I agree with all said above--great series, and the story line made it more enjoyable.

Great shots !

Whenever I see a bittern, it has already seen me and stands perfectly still with it's beak pointed up. (Either that, or it flys away ).
It's nice to see the action sequence.

What I really like about bitterns and egrets and herons is their intense piercing eyes