A lifer for me, that was one of many on my target list for our recent Trinidad trip. We spotted him in a marshy area close to the road but concealed by phragmites. After some careful positioning I got into a spot that was as low as possible without the foreground completely obscuring the view, but some phrags that were out of my reach prevented a clear shot. I hesitate to admit this, and don't recommend it, but with the rig balanced on my shoulder I put the tripod legs together and fully extended them, leaned out as far as possible over the marsh, and used the tripod to open a viewing window through the reeds. Surprisingly, the cooperative bittern stayed put (there was some speculation that he was planted by the tourist bureau). Shot vertically with very slight crop for comp.
Hi Bill, congrats on your lifer, and I do like the alert pose. Good choice of comp, and well captured vertically, as it probably 'hides' some of the busy BG. I like the colours on this fellow, and he blends in nicely to the surroundings. You were extremely lucky to have captured this shot, as my experience with these guys are they are very, very skittish.
Congrats on your lifer! Always a thrill.
Your 'extreme" field craft paid off handsomely.
Lots of good details and love the fairly clear view you got.
I am OK with the environment as presented.
Thanks for showing me a new species,
Gail
Pinnated Bittern
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