Least Bitterns are the most

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited June 19, 2007 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

In the 4 years I've shot at the Viera Wetlands I have managed to get shots of a least bittern twice. Its a hard capture as its a small bird, easily spooked and it stays in cover 99% of the time. Its the smallest member of the heron family Its length is 11-14 inches, wingspan 16-18 inches and weighs around 3 ounces.

Recently there's been at least 6 of these suckers hanging out at the wetlands. I ran into 4 of them yesterday. Of course it was raining and the available light was very low. I shot these at ISO 500 and at fairly slow shutter speeds. Because of the rain and the shyness of the bitterns I stayed in the car (damn I wish I could have set up the tripod) so most of these are handheld at over 500mm and at shutter speeds of 1/350 sec or less. I had to take around 200 shots to get a small handfull of acceptable shots.

here's a zoomed out shot to give you an idea of how small they are
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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

  • ChrisJChrisJ Registered Users Posts: 2,164 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    I dunno, Harry... almost too cute for you. mwink.gif I really like the neck extension shot and the 2nd to last. Though #3 is classic. With the new Canon, you may have been able to boost the ISO a bit more. :D
    Chris
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    Great series. There are some thick wetlands and high grasses around here in South Padre and I have seen moorhens and bitterns but I can't get a pic of either because they are so hidden in the reeds so I know how you feel. I'm glad you finally captured one on film.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    Well...it's not as cute as a Chipmunk...but very close.:D

    Really neat bunch of shots. thumb.gif

    It's nice to get a crack at something different.
  • bigpixbigpix Registered Users Posts: 371 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    You have done a good job here......bowdown.gifbowdown.gif..... great capture
    Cheers...... Big Pix
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  • ShepsMomShepsMom Registered Users Posts: 4,319 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    You did very well Harry, if you would not mention the situation, i would have never guessed. That what makes you a great photographer thumb.gif
    Marina
    www.intruecolors.com
    Nikon D700 x2/D300
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  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    Congrats on finding the Least Bitterns Harry! Maybe you will get better light next time. clap.gif
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited June 14, 2007
    Very nice series Harry, good find!

    I have only one soft picture of this species because they very shy.

    Thanks for sharing,

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2007
    ISO 500!!!! That's like me using ISO 6400, oh yeah, my camera doesn't go up that high :poke. You did good in hard lighting Harry. Do you know if the pair I saw in Feb nested at Vierra? Your next goal is to get shots of baby Least Bittern. After seeing them myself I can now understand how hard these pictures are to actually get.

    I still like your other shots of the Least bittern better though. :hide
    Nick
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  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2007
    Seems like you hit the jackpot, Harry thumb.gif
    You did great under the circumstancesclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif
    Russ
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2007
    ChrisJ wrote:
    I dunno, Harry... almost too cute for you. mwink.gif I really like the neck extension shot and the 2nd to last. Though #3 is classic. With the new Canon, you may have been able to boost the ISO a bit more. :D

    Thanks Chris and bitterns ain't cute they are mean little suckers. :yikes

    I was thinking how nice it would be to have better high ISO performance when I wa staking the shots.
    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 June 15, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Great series. There are some thick wetlands and high grasses around here in South Padre and I have seen moorhens and bitterns but I can't get a pic of either because they are so hidden in the reeds so I know how you feel. I'm glad you finally captured one on film.

    Thanks Stephen, it was a thrill because its not often you are able yo egt shots of these suckers.
    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 June 15, 2007
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Well...it's not as cute as a Chipmunk...but very close.:D

    Really neat bunch of shots. thumb.gif

    It's nice to get a crack at something different.

    You're lucky that I'm saving all my dander for the Nikon service department or I would have some response to that chipmunk reference.

    Thaks and itwas nice to find these guys in the open for a change.
    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 June 16, 2007
    bigpix wrote:
    You have done a good job here......bowdown.gifbowdown.gif..... great capture

    Thank you very much
    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 June 16, 2007
    ShepsMom wrote:
    You did very well Harry, if you would not mention the situation, i would have never guessed. That what makes you a great photographer thumb.gif

    Thank you very much Marina.
    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!"
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2007
    Last 2 got the attitude going on :D
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2007
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    Congrats on finding the Least Bitterns Harry! Maybe you will get better light next time. clap.gif

    I hope so Glenn but it was two years ago when I last had a clear shot at a least bittern. I hope the interval is shorter this time.
    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!"
  • Jody MelansonJody Melanson Registered Users Posts: 416 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2007
    Great job getting these guys out in the open like this, Harry!
    There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2007
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    Very nice series Harry, good find!

    I have only one soft picture of this species because they very shy.

    Thanks for sharing,

    Dick.

    Thanks Dick and they are a very tough subject to shoot. They almost never come 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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 18, 2007
    gluwater wrote:
    ISO 500!!!! That's like me using ISO 6400, oh yeah, my camera doesn't go up that high :poke. You did good in hard lighting Harry. Do you know if the pair I saw in Feb nested at Vierra? Your next goal is to get shots of baby Least Bittern. After seeing them myself I can now understand how hard these pictures are to actually get.

    I still like your other shots of the Least bittern better though. :hide

    Hey Nick,

    If they do nest I doubt that we will ever find out about it. It is posible because we have a lot more bitterns this year than ever before.

    I agree with you that my other shots of the least bittern are much better. That time I had light and it was really out in the open.

    76670997-L.jpg
    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 June 18, 2007
    riddim_maker wrote:
    Seems like you hit the jackpot, Harry thumb.gif
    You did great under the circumstancesclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    Four least bitterns in one day is definitely a kjackpot. Thanks Russ.
    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 June 18, 2007
    bfjr wrote:
    Last 2 got the attitude going on :D

    That they did Ben.
    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!"
  • FabsFabs Registered Users Posts: 97 Big grins
    edited June 18, 2007
    Never seen so many Bitterns in Viera before, nice collection!

    It was great to see you againwings.gif
    www.avianscapes.com

    Blog at: http://web.mac.com/fabs5
    on location video clips
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2007
    Jody Melanson wrote:
    Great job getting these guys out in the open like this, Harry!

    Thanks Jody, I never saw so many least bitterns out at the same time. I'm guessing the rain and the low light had something to do with it.
    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 June 19, 2007
    Fabs wrote:
    Never seen so many Bitterns in Viera before, nice collection!

    It was great to see you againwings.gif

    As always Fabs it was good to see ya and to see what kind of shots you got at the wetlands.
    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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