American Bitttern... [read]

Selkii's Photos
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American Bitttern... [read]
American Bitttern... [read]

A drab, brown bird, I have countless times heard this bird bellowing among reeds, caught glimpses of it and, once, saw a blurred, distant fly-by out of the corner of my eye. It has been my nemesis for many years, teasing me with its elusiveness, a master of camouflage.

Perhaps other bird photogs have hundreds of shots and have no idea what I am talking about, but, except for one other day, this bird refused to show itself to me and my camera.

My husband and I had done the rounds of Colusa NWR with only a Great Blue Heron and a bunch of Red-winged Black Birds to show for it. Heading out, I heard the tell-tale deep-chested boom of a bittern and was shocked to see it semi-exposed in the last rays of a setting sun.

We were thrilled to get perching shots, obscuring reeds and all. Holding both my focus and my breath, I watched its behavior. After several minutes of inflating its lungs, it fluffed its feathers and took flight! Proves once again you never know when that One Shot will happen, but if you keep trying, just maybe...

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Taken on: May 11, 2023
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