American Bittern, one of three I saw this past weekend in a local refuge.
It must be mating season as this is a record for me.
They creep me out, though, a very interesting reptilian like bird.
1/800
f5
420mm (300 w/ 1.4)
iso400
Almost full frame (I thought the close up really shows the lizard quality)
Nikon D7000
Really smart Dan. Fantastic colour on the feet. Love the pose. A very difficult bird bird you have a good portrait here. I would tone down the light branch top right.
Very nice on all counts. Love the raised foot. EXP good and framing is pleasant. A bit off the top for a pano look would place more emphasis on that really beautiful bird.
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Hi Dan, Great find, and just love the pose. Good DOF, sharp, and although always in a busy BG and surroundings, having this guy in the open would have been a killer shot.
Thanks for all the comments.
Stuart, I would love to get one in the open, but I have never seen one that wasn't deep in the grasses.
There do seem to be a lot in the refuge, maybe sometime.