American Bittern

[Robert Strickland]

Saturday I took a trip up to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. There is abundant wildlife including Alligators. At the end of trail is an Elevated platform. The abundant wildlife was the Sandhill cranes. According to the Gainesville sun Usually 1,000 to 2,000 sandhill cranes winter in the Gainesville area. Typically, they spend the day rooting up food at agricultural areas and then fly to the prairie at night to roost in the safety of knee-deep water. But this year it's estimated that 5,000 cranes are wintering here and because of an ideal water depth, many of them are spending their days along the La Chua Trail, including an open area at a viewing platform at the end of the trail. Along the way i happened upon an American bittern hiden in the reeds. I was able to stay long enough to get several shots of him.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Seems to be a great place for photography. Great find, it shows why they are hard to spot. I find the setting very busy and wish there were more eye contact. The light looks a bit harsh. Keep them coming and please post the techs.

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Robert, I have moved your bittern post to Eager to Learn where it can get additional help.

Welcome to BPN. A bittern is always a good find, you came up with a good EXP, and your image is sharp, but there are several serious problems. The light is extremely harsh and the light angle is poor, coming hard from your right. In general, you will want to work with your shadow pointed directly at your subject, that is with the sun right behind you. And this goes double when the light is bright and harsh. The bird is anlged away from you; at least parallel is usually preferred. Lastly, all of the dead stalks mmake fro a distracting BKGR. (Again, this problem is exacerbated by the light. Had it been a cloudy day you would at least have had a chance.)

[Robert Strickland]

I saw the Bittern and had to move to take as there was so many people i was afrid it would move away. the Day was bright and sunny and i realize it created a bad situation. I am planning on going back on a more of a cloudy day.

[Alfred Forns]

Strong points by Artie and fully agree

Hope you can find under more favorable circumstances, they are tough at best but you can prevail. Would look for a better head angle and no mixed lighting. Good luck !!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Robert,
Great advise given by Axel and Mr. Morris...on your next photographic venture, try to track the sun light, and remember...the sun always at your back side for even lighting...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Dave Leroy]

Hi Richard, Certainly good advice. Nice to see a photo of Bittern. Hard to find them and when you do they are skitish. I know I often end with the first few frames because when I try to get better position bird moves off. Good to know all the best positions though. Good One.
Dave

[Lance Peters]

Hi Richard - great advice from the masters above, keep at it I am sure you will get a winning shot.
looking forward to seeing more :)