American Bittern
Hi All,
Just returned from a 10-day shooting spree with a great group of people through both coasts of Florida . While shooting in Viera I concentrated exclusively on Bitterns. Very elusive birds and very hard to spot, but we got better at it as time went on.
Thanks for looking.
Best,
Jose
D300 - 200~400VR +1.4xTC - 1/1250s @ F5.6 - ISO 200
Good to know you had a good time and perfected your art. This image has a nice wing spread and a very even BG, Two things may need attention, IMHO. the bird appears a bit soft or is it some kin of optical illusion of the fine feather pattern? and the second is thethwo dark areas in teh BG just on either side of the wing
Considering the nature of species you did a wonderful job.
Nice light and details in the face/feet. I think some more dof would have been nice.
Taylor
Wonderful image Jose! Love the topside view and the BG. My only nit would be I would prefer more coming towards us rather than going away.
Pretty darned good but for the dark stuff in the BKGR. Did you use a tape or did the bitterns just happen to be flying by?
later and love, artie
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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris
Thanks Artie! I'll take the background any day for this shot. I was praying out loud while tracking the bird and repeatedly pressing the AF button because the AF was locking on the background using 51-point. Got three clear shots in the sequence. No tape, just a lot of patience and perseverance! Spent 1.5 hours on this bird alone and saw it fly twice and miss a dragonfly (another post for later). I spent four days at Viera and except for misc opportunity shots went only for Americans and Leasts (got one good Least) . That and I gave a big tip to Manuela, the Mexican maid at our hotel that morning and she blessed me :). Lots of Bitterns flying around at Viera ATM.
All the best,
Jose
Patience pays off my friend, and working a bird can yield results. I think getting the American in the air is harder than the Least, because the latter flies more often even if faster.
Congrats!
Very nice, not an easy subject to photograph in flight. Love the light and BG.
A wonderful image. I have never seen a Bittern in flight. Thank-you.
excellent Jose, congrats! I sure wish I was with you again this year.
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