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American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus |
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| The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) breeds across the northern United States and much of Canada; it winters across a good portion of the SE United States, Texas, Mexico, and along the Pacific Coast. The species is usually solitary in its hunting efforts and is known to sometimes "freeze" with its bill pointing upward to avoid discovery. In this position it often can appear to resemble the surrounding vegetation as some of the photos here will illustrate. The bittern on the right was at Attwater Prairie Chicken N.W.R., Colorado Co., Texas, in October, 1994. |  |
| The American Bittern on the right was stalking prey at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers Co., Texas, in April, 1996. |  |
| The next 11 images on this page were taken in March, 2001 at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers Co., Texas with a Canon EOS 3 and EF 500 mm F4 L IS lens on Fuji Velvia pushed one stop. A 1.4X or a 2X extender were used depending upon the photo. The camera and lens were resting on a bean bag and window mount from a vehicle. |  |
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| In the next two images on the right the bird really does look like part of the dry vegetation! |  |
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| The American Bittern on the right was at Bitter Lake N.W.R., Chavez Co., New Mexico, in November, 2005. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and an EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender. |  |
| American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Port Bolivar, Galveston Co., Texas 28 March 2015 |
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| American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Port Bolivar, Galveston Co., Texas 28 March 2015 |
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| American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Port Bolivar, Galveston Co., Texas 28 March 2015 |
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