Larry's Gallery:   Australasian Bittern (1/1)

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae

Botaurus poiciloptilus  

My thanks go to Jenny 'Eagle Eyes' Matheson and her son Nicholas. Without Jenny and a borrowed scope (thanks Mick) we would never have seen this Australasian Bittern.

It was invisible to the naked eye but determined and methodical searching by Jenny along the reed beds resulted in its location.

We were fascinated for the next good while as it moved in ultra-slow motion through the reeds. With such slow speed and good camouflage it still remained for the most part invisible to the naked eye even though we knew where to look.

It eventually moved out into the open (long after we would have given up if Jenny hadn't already located it) and I took probably 50 or more photos.

Due to the light conditions and distance most were absolute rubbish and I later deleted virtually all of them.

This was about the only useable one but at least I have a photo.

Thanks again Jenny and happy birding Nicholas for such a young person you have an amazing wealth of knowledge about birds.