Lee's Photoblog
Stealthy Hunter
Posted by Lee (Fort Frances Ontario, Canada) on 2 May 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
The American Bittern inhabits freshwater bogs and wetland ponds. It hides by standing motionless with it bill pointed upwards. That way it can be easily mistaken for a wooden stake in the marshes. It's striped vertical streaks blend in with surrounding vegetation. The bird often goes unnoticed, even from 1-2 metres away. It also stands motionless when searching for prey. It eats frogs, small fish, small snakes, salamanders, crayfish, small rodents and water bugs.
Perhaps you may have heard this bird before. It makes the strangest sounds. Oonk-a-lunk. It almost sounds like someone driving a stake into the mud with a wooden mallet.
Thank you for visiting my site. I consider myself to be lucky living where I do. Everyday I wake up to a wealth of interesting visual scenarios. Most of my pictures are Wildlife and Nature taken from around the area. The area specifically being Fort Frances Ontario on beautiful Rainy Lake. Feel free to comment on what you see. I look forward to hearing from you. If you like what you see, please rate it. Better yet, bookmark the site and drop back often. I will be posting daily.
All images are copyrighted by Lee Oelke Photography. They cannot be reproduced, electronically, or by printing without my written consent. Should you be interested in any of my images, please contact me.
mats from Texas, United States
Every creature in this planet has a way of surviving. Camouflaging is one way, 'hope I can do that when I don't want to be seen.. :-) Very informative text. And of course, another great capture Lee. Thanks for sharing.
2 May 2009 5:52am
@mats: Thank you Mats.
@Calusarus: Thank you. Please visit again.
P J W Miller from Chase Terrace, United Kingdom
Interesting description of this bird, I like the way you have captured it in its natural surroundings
2 May 2009 6:25am
@P J W Miller: Thank you.
Hidalgo from Herunen, Finland
Very exquisite photo. I guess that it was not easy to photo this unknown bird to me.
2 May 2009 9:15am
@Hidalgo: Once spotted, photographing is easy. The hard part is trying to find one of these bitterns. Thank you for the comment.
Anthony Morgan Lambert from Bielefeld (Old Pembroke Dock boy,Wales), Germany
Never seen this guy before,you´ve caotured him wonderfully though !!
2 May 2009 9:33am
@Anthony Morgan Lambert: Thank you Anthony.
Baby Sis from Canada
Very interesting..never seen one before, nice picture. Have a great weekend.
2 May 2009 11:28am
@Baby Sis: Thanks Shelley. I think we knew someone who used to call these things Shag Pokes.
@Linda: The reeds and grasses have not yet sprouted. Everything is the same colour. Thank you for the comment.
@vu@granby - Wolfgang: Thank you very much.
@Lorraine: Thanks Lorraine.
Mary from PA, United States
Wonderful capture!! I am always amazed at how long these types of birds can be so still for so long. Beautiful capture in natural habitat!
2 May 2009 12:45pm
@Mary: Thank you Mary. When hunting, it seems there is no time limit with these birds. They are so patient. They just stand there motionless until their prey is in psoition. Then they strike.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Great catch of this beauty!! And even though he stands out in the shot, you've shown how well he can camouflage himself!!
2 May 2009 1:11pm
@Susan: Thank you Susan. They do blend in well. This bird was not intimidated by me. It was standing then slowly wandering, looking for some life in the waters. It is still rather early, not all creatures have awoke as yet.
Hema Iyer from Bangalore, India
Great shot and thanks for the information about the bird.
2 May 2009 1:21pm
@Hema Iyer: Thank you Hema.
The Big Guy from Regina, Canada
It's amazing what Mother Nature has done to hide her nature. Nice find Lee and good shot.
2 May 2009 3:38pm
@The Big Guy: Thank you. Most times these birds go un-noticed.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
This bird is in perfect harmony with it's environment... Lovely capture.
2 May 2009 4:25pm
@Evelyne Dubos: Thank you Evelyne.
B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States
Perfect blend for hiding. Very nice.
2 May 2009 5:28pm
@B. Thomas: Thank you Barbara. They do blend in well once the reeds and grasses have grown. They are virtually impossible to spot in cattails.
@Mariana: Thank you Mariana.
JanW from Rotterdam, Netherlands
Great shot, beautiful colors. In dutch it's called Roerdomp. Very well camouflaged.
2 May 2009 7:46pm
@JanW: Thank you. Roerdomped indeed.
eva from Rouen, France
Et toujours ce fascinant mimétisme avec l'environnement ! Magnifique, vraiment formidable Lee !
2 May 2009 8:35pm
@eva: Thank you Eva.
Vinman from Essex, United Kingdom
How clever is that, makes a noise like a wooden stake and then pretends to be one! Your shot demonstrates how well they fit into their surroundings.
2 May 2009 9:07pm
@Vinman: Thank you Steve. Have a great day.
@Ana Lúcia: Thank you very much.
@FromJoanne: Thanks Joanne.
Heather from Napanee ON, Canada
Love how it blends into its surroundings, yet stands out in the photo!
3 May 2009 2:09am
@Heather: Thank you Heather. This bird was not aware of me. It actually watched it hunt for a while. It would slowly walk, then stop and patiently watch, then walk some more.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
brilliant capture you show off his markings perfectly
3 May 2009 9:12am
@jamesy: Thank you Debbie, have a good day.
@Magda: Thank you.
@shallowregret: Thank you very much
