The unbittern

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited May 7, 2009 in Wildlife
Hi y'all,

I've been going down to the Viera Wetlands for awhile now. Our most agravating resident (even worse than the kingfisher) is the least bittern. I can count the hours I've wasted waiting for one of these suckers to come out of cover. When they do you usually end up with a capture like this.
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They are the smallest member of the heron family and so secretive that naturalists can not even estimate the size of their population.

Anyhow, I was tooling down the road in the wetlands when I saw a least bittern right in the open!!! :yikes.

Not only was it in the open but it also hung around for a bit while I set up my tripod and took around 500+ images. :barb

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First time I've seen a bittern do the flip
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all good things end :cry
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The bittern flew into some cover. Shortly after that two older bitterns flew in and took away its bittern membership card due to its unbittern like behavior. It was sent for remedial bittern training.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    rolleyes1.gif Very great Harry
    Dan
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  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    The Unbittern has met it's Match rolleyes1.gifylsuper.gif
    Benjamin
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  • SYMPLSYMPL Registered Users Posts: 96 Big grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    Good job, Harry.
    Persistence pays off.clap.gif
    Gord
    A photograph is usually looked at, seldom looked into. Ansel Adams
    www.symplimages.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    dlplumer wrote:
    rolleyes1.gif Very great Harry

    Thanks much Dan.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • justMEjustME Registered Users Posts: 209 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    Your shots are always captivating. Wonderful series.
    Canon EOS 30D & 50D
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  • thorinthorin Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    Excellent series - appreciate your work :D
  • luisvluisv Registered Users Posts: 132 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2009
    Great captures, Harry! Well done! clap.gifclapclap.gif
  • Every Miles A MemoryEvery Miles A Memory Registered Users Posts: 123 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Beautiful Images.

    I cant believe the feet on that little bird!eek7.gif
    Pat Bonish
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    All Who Wander Are Not Lost
  • David-StallardDavid-Stallard Registered Users Posts: 252 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Now that bird has 'some neck' - great set of images, so - how many have you printed to prove it was real. (do you carry one in your wallet just to remind yourself lol)

    .DAVID.
    http://www.davidstallardphotography.com/

    Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints
  • GaleGale Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    WTG Harry,
    Yes many hours spent on that little bugger
    Super shots.
    Best Regards
    Gale

    www.pbase.com/techwish
  • rhondavidrhondavid Registered Users Posts: 433 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Those are some great shots and you should be proud of each and everyone of them. #5 has to be my favorite. Talk about perfect timing. WOW!!
    David

    D40
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    bfjr wrote:
    The Unbittern has met it's Match rolleyes1.gifylsuper.gif

    Actually the running score is bitterns 876 - Harry 3 but I'm gaining on them. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Very nice, to say the least!rolleyes1.gifthumb
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    SYMPL wrote:
    Good job, Harry.
    Persistence pays off.clap.gif

    Thanks much Gord.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • IraRunyanIraRunyan Registered Users Posts: 1,013 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Outstanding set of images, Harry. clap.gif
    I just don't understand why you could not get him more in the open... ne_nau.gif
    My Photo Gallery
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  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Great job Harry. Those bitterns and rails always frustrate me!
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Major grins Rockledge, FL on the Space CoastPosts: 0 Major grins
    edited May 5, 2009
    Great captures Harry thumb.gif

    Something about those bitterns that always keeps them under cover. I have decided that if they live there that's where I will shoot them. If anyone asks why all those plants are in front of "that" bird I just say they NEVER come out into the open so the Eagles can't get them :D

    A poor excuse is better than no excuse at all :nono
  • Bruce NovotneyBruce Novotney Registered Users Posts: 81 Big grins
    edited May 6, 2009
    Great series! I don't think I've seen one of these birds before.
  • CAPTURED2HCAPTURED2H Registered Users Posts: 142 Major grins
    edited May 6, 2009
    A hard birdie to find and you got a flip clap.gif very nice Harry
  • RBrogenRBrogen Registered Users Posts: 1,518 Major grins
    edited May 6, 2009
    Wonderful set and story line Harry. clap.gifclap.gif
    Randy Brogen, CPP
    www.brogen.com

    Member: PPA , PPANE, PPAM & NAPP
  • hTrhTr Registered Users Posts: 361 Major grins
    edited May 6, 2009
    Great to see one in the Open!!! Great Captures Harry!!clap.gif
    gary
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 6, 2009
    justME wrote:
    Your shots are always captivating. Wonderful series.

    Thanks Justine, glad you enjoyed them.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 7, 2009
    thorin wrote:
    Excellent series - appreciate your work :D

    Thanks
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 7, 2009
    luisv wrote:
    Great captures, Harry! Well done! clap.gifclapclap.gif

    Thanks Luis, it was a thrill o see it out in the open.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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