Bittern Bonanza at Barnes...
Bitterns have always been on my list of birds that I would like to photograph They are so elusive and extremely weird looking birds that would make a interesting subject in amongst a reedbed, where they tend to stay hidden. Encouraged by the recent sightings of 4 Bittern on the London Wetland Centre sightings page, I headed over there late morning to see if I could get any shots of them with the new lens.
On first inspection, the reserve seemed pretty quiet in the way of birds. In the surrounding hedgerow, a Great tit perched in front of the camera...
... and a Cormorant was fishing in the main lake...
On the way back to Dulverton Hide, I caught news that a Bittern had been spotted over by Headley Hide. I quickly rushed into Dulverton to check if the Bittern was viewable from there, but it was too far away to see properly.
I raced over to Headley Hide and sure enough, a Bittern was showing excellently (for a Bittern). Just as I entered, the Bittern began to emerge from its hiding place, allowing me and many other photographers in the hide, an opportunity for a shot or two...
Before quickly moving back into the cover of the nearest group of dead reeds...
On the whole it was a very successful day and I got what I came for; some shots (even if they are distant!) of a very beautiful, albeit strange species, the Bittern. A great way to end the Christmas holiday and start 2010!
Wow, it showed pretty well for you! Should go up there soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill and my, you have been working hard on your blog. I have visited each one from before Christmas onwards to this posting, and especially these last two with wonderful images from your new lens. I can imagine just how pleased you are with it and the results achieved. Well done. Although a busy year to come with exams etc, let us hope that you get some good 'photo-shoots' in the coming months. Most enjoyable in everyway both the pictures and the associated texts. Best of luck. GRAMPS.
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