Aug. 24, 2014 - Least Bittern Catching a Fish
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At 13 inches, the Least Bittern is our smallest heron. It’s also a very elusive bird, preferring to stay hidden among the cattails. Birders hear this bird more often than they see it. Several people reported seeing Least Bitterns at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, MN, so I went there last week hoping I could get some photos.
BitternLeastcatchingfishWoodLakeNatureCenterRichfield20140819
Several times I walked across the boardwalk that bisects one of the ponds at Wood Lake. Finally, I spotted this Least Bittern standing on a dirt clump on the opposite side of the pond. Something in the water caught its attention. The Bittern slowly turned its head to keep its prey in sight.
BitternLeastcatchingfishWoodLakeNatureCenterRichfield20140819
It was a cloudy day, so my camera speed was only 1/400th of a second. Even so, when the attack came, it was so fast that the head and neck of the bird were blurred while the body stayed in focus. The Bittern must have kept a very tight hold on the dirt pile to keep from falling in the water from this position.
BitternLeastcatchingfishWoodLakeNatureCenterRichfield20140819
Linda
on August 24, 2014Great sequence, Earl!
Shawn
on August 24, 2014Captivating series!
chris
on August 24, 2014Great pictures loved your comments.
Judy Chucker
on August 24, 2014I love your captions, Earl, as well as the photos. Thanks.
Joan
on August 24, 2014Wow, Earl - what an amazing sequence. You must have been a stealthy as the heron!
David Wilcock
on August 24, 2014Earl, Great set of pictures! Very interesting. Cheers, David