We have had terrible weather here for weeks- hot and hardly any clouds when I have time to go out and take pictures, but the good thing is I can use the time and go back and process images from earlier this year. Here is one.
Comments and critique welcomed. regards~Bill
Hi Bill, Hard to get a Bittern in the open but you caught one in it's environment that works for me. Good even lighting with the subject in an offset position within the frame. I also like the fact you left room for the bottom foot. Interesting to note how their coloring blends with the terrain. The water droplets also add to the images interest. If this were mine I might take a small bit off the top otherwise well handled.
Thanks Dave! It is interesting you brought up the bottom foot, and I took a series of images, slowly moving closer. I did get close to full frame, but when I got home that foot was clipped on every one of the real close ones. When I was shooting I was not aware of it at all! Besides it was raining, not real hard, but it made things more difficult to see in the viewfinder.
Another thing, because they blend in so well with their environment, it is exceedingly difficult to spot them, as I'm sure you know. Most of the time they spot me first and off they fly!! Got lucky with this one. regards~Bill
Well framed with a nice pose and lots of atmosphere :)
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Hi Bill, Those details you mentioned can be easy to miss out in the field. Especially when your trying to capture an elusive subject like a Bittern the excitement builds...
Bill, really an amazing capture considering how secretive these birds are. Not only did you get the lower foot, but it looks like you got it with a drop of rain on the talon. Great habitat and pose. Well done indeed.
Bitterns belong in the reeds, very hard to find one in the open, so it's normal to photograph them in their environment. Very nicely composed, if a bit tight at the bottom. Love the look of concentration.
Least Bittern in the Rain
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