A Life Bird … Least Bittern

While in the Everglades NP, I found a life bird … the Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis):

Least Bittern, hiding in tall grasses

Least Bittern, hiding in tall grasses

Least Bittern, hiding in tall grasses

These birds are great at camouflaging themselves in the tall grasses of dense marshes. Note the white and brown stripes along the bird’s body. Standing still, with head pointed upward, it is extremely difficult to spot such a bird, even at close range! This bird, as most of the birds along the Anhinga Trail, seem to be well-used to people, so he was not as skittish as they usually are. Still, if not paying attention, you could easily walk right past this guy. And at only 12″-13″, he’s not all that big.

Photography Equipment Used:

  • Canon 7D body
  • Canon EF100mm-400mm, f/4.5 – f/5.6 IS lens, shot at 400mm
  • Handheld, with IS “On”
  • ISO 400
  • Aperture f/5.6
  • Shutter 1/320 sec. to 1/500 sec.

 

 

 

Posted in Bird Photography, Nature Photography, Travel Photography
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