Saturday, February 10, 2018

American Bittern

We’ve just started seeing the Bittern in the wild this year!

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And on one of our hikes at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, we saw TWO! I hope they are mates! I would love to see baby Bitterns this Spring!

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We always wonder how many birds we DON’T see!

The Bittern has some of the best camouflage, don’t you think?

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Just to give you an idea of where we are looking…

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the Bittern is in the middle of the photo above!

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Sometimes we spot them when they move. And often other ‘bird watchers’ on the bridge point them out to us.

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Here’s the second one we saw in another location, preening.

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Aren’t those feathers gorgeous !

We have 8 hikes so far this year. Our weather has been gorgeous this week! I know there’s been a winter blast for many of you. How’s your weekend weather?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

31 comments:

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I haven't seen one of these guys in a while.

Nice shots.

MadSnapper said...

beautiful birds, i love the striped chest, those feathers are perfect camouflage. also love the views you were bird watching in.

Anonymous said...

they are so beautiful, when we lived in our house we had one that visited our shore,, it was right by our dock,, it shocked us because they renowned for their shyness to humans,,aren't they amazing! Beautiful photos you captured!

Linda said...

Hard birds to spot as it blends in so well. Lots of snow here so really in winter mode. Dreaming of spring and nice walks.

happyone said...

He sure blends in well.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh beautiful photos of the Bittern ~ intriguing looking bird and great nature shots!

Happy Weekend to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Buttercup said...

I've never seen them before. Thanks so much for sharing and have a great weekend!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

These birds are wonderful! I love their name and they are so pretty! Keep bird watching!

Jeanie said...

Those bitterns are especially handsome and wonderful photos. Great detail. I should love to see one in person.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, congrats on your Bittern sighting. They are awesome birds to see in the open, usually they are hiding. Great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!

Angie said...

The plumage is at once elegant and effective ... so glad you included the wide shot for the perspective on how hard they would be to spot!

We are in the arctic blast zone ... it was -2 F when we got up this morning, and the high will be 27. Brrr.

Terri D said...

I have never heard of that bird. Every time I visit your blog I learn something new!! Thanks for that!!

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Oh what a pretty bird--I will have to watch and see if I can spot one on this coast--
enjoy, di

Susie said...

Diane, Like I have said many times...you see the prettiest birds and so many of them. Those bitterns sure do blend into their backgrounds. Thanks for taking all of us on your hike. Hope you are having a great weekend. It so gloomy here today and I am chilled to the bone. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

gypsyrose said...

The Bittern is really a lovely looking bird, never been lucky enough to see one your photos are beautiful x

Jean said...

Great spotting of the Bitterns, I would most like have to have someone point them out to me, I think. Very pretty birds. Glad you are having such great weather. Ours is back and forth still. Thursday we were in the 50s and this morning we were back down to 14 (with a -1 windchill), snow predicted for tonight but who knows? Hope you are having a great Saturday!

Victoria said...

Great photos! Those birds really are well camouflaged, I never did spot the one that you said was in the center of the photo.

BeachGypsy said...

goodness gracious, I DO NOT SEE HOW y'all spot those birds at all!!---talk about camoflague! Have y'all been out walking today? We took a short one. Pretty weather, up in the 70s.

Phil Slade said...

Great camera work Diane. Those Bitterns are very hard to separate from the background and keen eyes are needed. It's weird how our Eurasian Bittern is highly secretive and hardly ever seen, even when thay are known to be around.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane!:)Amazing shots of the Bitterns,...I like the colouration and design of the feathers, just beautiful, and effective camouflage. I love the ruffled look of the head feathers whilst preening. I hope those two find each other, and it's love at first sight!!:=)

Anni said...

Wouldn't that be awesome to have bittern chicks to watch?!! Keep us posted.

For linking in at I'd Rather B Birding, all of us birders are very appreciative...thanks!

NanaDiana said...

Those are amazing photos---they really blend in with the landscape, don't they? I think Laurie (In My Dreams I See) did a painting from your post, if I am not mistaken.

Have a wonderful, blessed Sunday- xo Diana

A Colorful World said...

Wow! You have a keen eye! They are really camouflaged! Baby Bitterns would be awesome...you'd have to really LOOK! :-)

Pam said...

How usual they are. Nice shots. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful photos of a bird that (you are absolutely right) is so well hidden. It's a minor miracle to even see them, let alone get such wonderful photos. I hope you see babies too. You've done really good on your hikes!! That's more than one a week isn't it?

Anonymous said...

They are so cool, aren't they? I saw my first one when vacationing in Aruba...:)JP

Betty J. Crow said...

This is a new bird to me. Beautiful!

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

I've never heard of that bird before but my goodness, they really DO have some amazing camouflage! Beautiful!

Debbie said...

a fun find and great captures. i'm not sure if we have that bird in this area!!

the feather pattern is indeed gorgeous!!!

baili said...

Wow you made me fall in love with this beautiful creature !

incredible shots!!!

NatureFootstep said...

how beautiful to see the bitterns and get such good shots. Love them. I have not seen any bittern in years so your images are welcome.