ML45844611
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Media notes
Least Bittern
Observation details
On our way out to Arrowwood NWR we stopped at a marsh where a Least Bittern had been reported. Our trip leader played a tape to lure the bittern out, and to our surprise it actually came out into the open. It stood at the edge of some cattails in full view, and finally climbed up onto a couple of stalks to get a better look at us. It had one leg on each stalk, and the stalks separated, the poor bird had to hold on while doing the splits. It looked mighty uncomfortable. Based on the timestamp on my photos, it looks like the marsh was within 10 minutes from Arrowwood NWR - so it was quite close. Note: I could not find any other records in eBird of a Least Bittern at Arrowwood NWR or in the immediate area. Based on the observations of the trip leaders, our tour group, and my photos, however, I have absolutely no doubt as to the ID of this bird. I have seen lots of Least Bitterns in Arizona where I live, so I am very familiar with this species.
Technical information
- Model
- KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA
- Focal length
- 59.2 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire, auto
- f-stop
- f/3.6
- Shutter speed
- 1/250 sec
- Dimensions
- 834 pixels x 633 pixels
- Original file size
- 794.76 KB