Little Bittern

[Ken Watkins]

Prior to my recent sightings the only Bittern I had ever seen were from our houseboat on a French river in the early 1990's

Following my visit to Uganda, I have now managed two of the three species in Africa.

This was taken in the early morning on a rather dull day in Kidepo National Park, Northern Uganda 19th June 2012

EOS 1D MkIV

500mm F4 hand-held

F6.3, ISO 800, 1/320, EV +0.33

[christopher galeski]

nice habitat shot,like the pose,if you call your lighting dull,you want to live here in the Northwest of England,if mine maybe remove some of the reed that is nearly touching the bill.thanks.

[PhilCook]

Relatively common here so I am told, but I have yet to see one yet, nice natural composition and all sharp where it needs be, good eye contact with the camera too

[Satish Ranadive]

Magnificent creation.I like the Pose and expression of Bittern.Very nice lights and habitat.
Loved every thing in the frame.
Regards,
Satish.

[Rachel Hollander]

Ken - light doesn't look dull and nice environment shown. I'm wondering if you can extract more detail in the chest and head area. I would also apply a bit more selective sharpening.

TFS,
Rachel

[Joe Senzatimore]

Great looking bird. gave you a wonderful pose. Seems a bit bright. Perhaps some harsh light?? I would try darkening down the bird a bit. Don't think you needed the plus 1/3 compensation.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Ken, another species you got in the open, as Ive only ever seen them deep in reeds, thus no images possible at all. I like the stately pose, and looking up along the line of the reed perch. I agree, a little selective sharpening on the Bittern wont harm the image.

[Mike Milicia]

Nice to get this guy in the open with a great pose while also including a wonderful sense of habitat ... nicely done!

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the setting, pose, HA and composition. Well done Ken!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Ken, I liked the composition with lots of lines. excellent pose and subject isolation( from BG). Very well done. Bitterns are never easy.

[arash_hazeghi]

great pose HA and display of enviroment.

[Ken Watkins]

Thanks everybody for your kind and interesting comments in particular the light. Uganda was not at its best in terms of light there had been unusually heavy and late rain (good for the farmers) and it was quite dull most of the time we were there.
Hopefully it will be better next year.