Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: ned on July 08, 2014, 12:26:39 pm

Title: American Bittern
Post by: ned on July 08, 2014, 12:26:39 pm

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.

(http://37.media.tumblr.com/eb5b7b6a5e77cc166a59524adcff411f/tumblr_n7r2oaAhMO1tq9da3o1_1280.jpg)

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: telyt on July 08, 2014, 12:48:51 pm

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:

(http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/rallidae/clra02.jpg)

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: ned on July 08, 2014, 12:56:46 pm

Quote from: wildlightphoto on July 08, 2014, 12:48:51 pm

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:

(http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/rallidae/clra02.jpg)

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

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 08, 2014, 01:53:49 pm

That bittern is a great shot.

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: capital on July 08, 2014, 10:02:20 pm

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.

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: ned on July 09, 2014, 12:30:25 am

Quote from: capital on July 08, 2014, 10:02:20 pm

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

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on July 09, 2014, 03:51:02 am

Very interesting, well done.

Title: Re: American Bittern
Post by: davidh202 on July 12, 2014, 05:50:01 pm

Great capture Ned !
David