Least Bitterns are the most

[Harryb]

Hi Y'all,

In the 4 years I've shot at the Viera Wetlands I have managed to get shots of a least bittern twice. Its a hard capture as its a small bird, easily spooked and it stays in cover 99% of the time. Its the smallest member of the heron family Its length is 11-14 inches, wingspan 16-18 inches and weighs around 3 ounces.

Recently there's been at least 6 of these suckers hanging out at the wetlands. I ran into 4 of them yesterday. Of course it was raining and the available light was very low. I shot these at ISO 500 and at fairly slow shutter speeds. Because of the rain and the shyness of the bitterns I stayed in the car (damn I wish I could have set up the tripod) so most of these are handheld at over 500mm and at shutter speeds of 1/350 sec or less. I had to take around 200 shots to get a small handfull of acceptable shots.

here's a zoomed out shot to give you an idea of how small they are
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815330-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815338-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815346-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815347-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815356-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815360-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815365-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/162815370-O.jpg

[ChrisJ]

I dunno, Harry... almost too cute for you. :wink I really like the neck extension shot and the 2nd to last. Though #3 is classic. With the new Canon, you may have been able to boost the ISO a bit more. :D

[Maestro]

Great series. There are some thick wetlands and high grasses around here in South Padre and I have seen moorhens and bitterns but I can't get a pic of either because they are so hidden in the reeds so I know how you feel. I'm glad you finally captured one on film.

[Ric Grupe]

Well...it's not as cute as a Chipmunk...but very close.:D

Really neat bunch of shots. :thumb

It's nice to get a crack at something different.

[bigpix]

You have done a good job here......:bow :bow..... great capture

[ShepsMom]

You did very well Harry, if you would not mention the situation, i would have never guessed. That what makes you a great photographer :thumb

[raptorcaptor]

Congrats on finding the Least Bitterns Harry! Maybe you will get better light next time. :clap

[Dick on Aruba]

Very nice series Harry, good find!

I have only one soft picture of this species because they very shy.

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

[gluwater]

ISO 500!!!! That's like me using ISO 6400, oh yeah, my camera doesn't go up that high :poke. You did good in hard lighting Harry. Do you know if the pair I saw in Feb nested at Vierra? Your next goal is to get shots of baby Least Bittern. After seeing them myself I can now understand how hard these pictures are to actually get.

I still like your other shots of the Least bittern better though. :hide

[riddim_maker]

Seems like you hit the jackpot, Harry :thumb
You did great under the circumstances:clap :clap :clap

[Harryb]

I dunno, Harry... almost too cute for you. :wink I really like the neck extension shot and the 2nd to last. Though #3 is classic. With the new Canon, you may have been able to boost the ISO a bit more. :D

Thanks Chris and bitterns ain't cute they are mean little suckers. :yikes

I was thinking how nice it would be to have better high ISO performance when I wa staking the shots.

[Harryb]

Great series. There are some thick wetlands and high grasses around here in South Padre and I have seen moorhens and bitterns but I can't get a pic of either because they are so hidden in the reeds so I know how you feel. I'm glad you finally captured one on film.

Thanks Stephen, it was a thrill because its not often you are able yo egt shots of these suckers.

[Harryb]

Well...it's not as cute as a Chipmunk...but very close.:D

Really neat bunch of shots. :thumb

It's nice to get a crack at something different.

You're lucky that I'm saving all my dander for the Nikon service department or I would have some response to that chipmunk reference.

Thaks and itwas nice to find these guys in the open for a change.

[Harryb]

You have done a good job here......:bow :bow..... great capture

Thank you very much

[Harryb]

You did very well Harry, if you would not mention the situation, i would have never guessed. That what makes you a great photographer :thumb

Thank you very much Marina.

[bfjr]

Last 2 got the attitude going on :D

[Harryb]

Congrats on finding the Least Bitterns Harry! Maybe you will get better light next time. :clap

I hope so Glenn but it was two years ago when I last had a clear shot at a least bittern. I hope the interval is shorter this time.

[Jody Melanson]

Great job getting these guys out in the open like this, Harry!

[Harryb]

Very nice series Harry, good find!

I have only one soft picture of this species because they very shy.

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.

Thanks Dick and they are a very tough subject to shoot. They almost never come out in the open.

[Harryb]

ISO 500!!!! That's like me using ISO 6400, oh yeah, my camera doesn't go up that high :poke. You did good in hard lighting Harry. Do you know if the pair I saw in Feb nested at Vierra? Your next goal is to get shots of baby Least Bittern. After seeing them myself I can now understand how hard these pictures are to actually get.

I still like your other shots of the Least bittern better though. :hide

Hey Nick,

If they do nest I doubt that we will ever find out about it. It is posible because we have a lot more bitterns this year than ever before.

I agree with you that my other shots of the least bittern are much better. That time I had light and it was really out in the open.

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/76670997-L.jpg

[Harryb]

Seems like you hit the jackpot, Harry :thumb
You did great under the circumstances:clap :clap :clap

Four least bitterns in one day is definitely a kjackpot. Thanks Russ.

[Harryb]

Last 2 got the attitude going on :D

That they did Ben.

[Fabs]

Never seen so many Bitterns in Viera before, nice collection!

It was great to see you again:barb

[Harryb]

Great job getting these guys out in the open like this, Harry!

Thanks Jody, I never saw so many least bitterns out at the same time. I'm guessing the rain and the low light had something to do with it.

[Harryb]

Never seen so many Bitterns in Viera before, nice collection!

It was great to see you again:barb

As always Fabs it was good to see ya and to see what kind of shots you got at the wetlands.