This is definitely a habitat image. American Bittern freeze in this posture when they perceive a threat. In this case, the threat came from a small cadre of birders standing on the opposite bank. The Bittern remained frozen like this for at least 15 minutes while the birders observed. I remained in my car. Image made earlier in November at Forsythe NWR in Brigantine, NJ.
Canon 50D; Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS w/ 2x TC; BLUBB-mounted on my Prius window.
There is a huge difference between a habitat image (of what is) and a good habit image.
This one has many, many problems that I wish folks would have mentioned:
1-Simply too much clutter.
2-The light is very harsh.
3-The sun angle is less than ideal.
4-There is a piece of grass nearly touching the eye.
5-The o-o-f grasses in the foreground are to be avoided.
The best news: the image is sharp.
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