American Bittern

[ned]

Taken at the Merced National Wildlife Refuge from my car window. This is one of those places that restrict you to your car, so you drive around in a loop. The only way I spotted this was because another one flew which drew my eye to this one.

This is the pose when trying to blend into the reeds. They are also thin with allows for movement through the reeds.

[telyt]

This is a good illutration of how their coloration combined with this posture helps them blend with their enviornment.

"Thin as a rail" refers to Rails (family Rallidae), not herons (family Ardeidae) such as this bittern.

Clapper Rail:

[ned]

This is a good illutration of how their coloration combined with this posture helps them blend with their enviornment.

"Thin as a rail" refers to Rails (family Rallidae), not herons (family Ardeidae) such as this bittern.

Clapper Rail:

Your right, deleted that text.  Always think of them as rails...

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

That bittern is a great shot.

[capital]

What a beautiful bird, I like the plumage and the soft contrast light. This might be considered sacrilege, but you might try a version that clones out some of the intersecting reeds to emphasize the vertical posture of the bird.

[ned]

What a beautiful bird, I like the plumage and the soft contrast light. This might be considered sacrilege, but you might try a version that clones out some of the intersecting reeds to emphasize the vertical posture of the bird.

Thanks. Thought about removing the distractions, but other life distractions distracted me :-D

[Paulo Bizarro]

Very interesting, well done.

[davidh202]

Great capture Ned !
David