Bittern with Frog and Salamander: After the sunrise, found a bittern hunting in the water's edge grass. Watched it for 75 minutes, hoping to capture it in flight--magnificent when they...

1FTR Loc: Pacific Northwest - Portland area

After the sunrise, found a bittern hunting in the water's edge grass. Watched it for 75 minutes, hoping to capture it in flight--magnificent when they fly. They are so compact when hunched in the grass and yet can stretch as tall as the marsh grass. Fun to see them neck and body wave as if a blade of grass in the breeze. They also waggle just before striking prey. Love their green feet.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

An excellent set. Mahalo for sharing.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

Very Nice! Bittern are way up on my Want to shoot list. Did you know they are legal game birds still in many states. I mean shoot with the camera

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Tack-sharp and beautiful 💕

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

1FTR wrote:

After the sunrise, found a bittern hunting in the water's edge grass. Watched it for 75 minutes, hoping to capture it in flight--magnificent when they fly. They are so compact when hunched in the grass and yet can stretch as tall as the marsh grass. Fun to see them neck and body wave as if a blade of grass in the breeze. They also waggle just before striking prey. Love their green feet.

I like 1.

Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

1FTR wrote:

After the sunrise, found a bittern hunting in the water's edge grass. Watched it for 75 minutes, hoping to capture it in flight--magnificent when they fly. They are so compact when hunched in the grass and yet can stretch as tall as the marsh grass. Fun to see them neck and body wave as if a blade of grass in the breeze. They also waggle just before striking prey. Love their green feet.

Nice photos. I've seen them only twice in 76 years in southwestern Massachusetts. Both times, 2013 and 2016, I heard them first. Very strange call. Never far from water and reeds.

1FTR Loc: Pacific Northwest - Portland area

Yes, unique squelching sound and unique neck motion when doing so. They are hard to spot because they blend in but once spotted they think they are invisible and usully dont run or fly off. I see them every year... maybe for last 15+ years. Never tire of watching them

1FTR Loc: Pacific Northwest - Portland area

Did not know they are gsme birds in some states. Would not think much there to eat.

Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

1FTR wrote:

Did not know they are gsme birds in some states. Would not think much there to eat.

They are big.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Three very nice images.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

1FTR wrote:

After the sunrise, found a bittern hunting in the water's edge grass. Watched it for 75 minutes, hoping to capture it in flight--magnificent when they fly. They are so compact when hunched in the grass and yet can stretch as tall as the marsh grass. Fun to see them neck and body wave as if a blade of grass in the breeze. They also waggle just before striking prey. Love their green feet.

Great set of images!!!!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Great set. Nice photos

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

1FTR wrote:

After the sunrise, found a bittern hunting in the water's edge grass. Watched it for 75 minutes, hoping to capture it in flight--magnificent when they fly. They are so compact when hunched in the grass and yet can stretch as tall as the marsh grass. Fun to see them neck and body wave as if a blade of grass in the breeze. They also waggle just before striking prey. Love their green feet.

Nice! That's one bizzy bittern.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

A beautiful series.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Really nice capture of a difficult bird to find. Over the years they have amazed me how they are able to move so slowly and smoothly yet always be on balance for a quick strike