Monday, March 6, 2017

American Bittern

Hello,


My wild bird this week is the American Bittern, these images are from various visits to the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland Fl. Photos taken Dec 17th and on Jan 15th.

The American Bittern is a large chunky bird. They have rust and cream colored feathers on their throat, breast and upper belly. They a chestnut brown crown. The side of their neck has a bluish-black patch, this patch is longer in the male than the female.


A chubby looking American Bittern. The upper mandible is darker than the lower. Their iris is pale yellow.


Their legs and feet are yellowish-green.






I hope you enjoyed the American Bittern and my photos. Thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.

Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

58 comments:

Marit said...

Hello,

Beautiful bird! The American Bittern is very pretty.

Happy Monday!

RedPat said...

I've never seen one of these guys! Like how he is stretched out in the last pic, Eileen!

Christine said...

Hello Eileen! I really enjoyed learning about this bird that I was unaware of before! Your photos of the bittern show their markings and plumage so well!
Have a happy week!

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Eileen, your photos of the American Bittern are awesome. I remember when I first saw one. We were in Florida and I didn't know what I was looking at. Never forgot it though. Thank you for sharing these wonderful shots and have a great week :)

Linda said...

Gorgeous photos of this beautiful and magnificent bird, Eileen! I love the colours and patterns! Thank you so much for sharing, and I wish you a wonder filled week. :)

Tom said...

...it blends right in.

Debbie said...

i have never seen this bird before. the shape resembles the green heron. beautiful captures, they have pretty coloring!!

Cat Lover said...

What an interesting bird. Lovely colour! Have a good day!

Nancy J said...

What super photos, those feathers sparkle. Love that flower in your header. Pink in every photo there.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari om
Gorgeous birdy! Here in UK, the Great Bittern is 'at risk' and there has been much excitement at sightings already this spring... YAM xx

Linda W. said...

What a beautiful bird!

Aritha V. said...

I love this bird! Very nice photos. In my language this animal is called: roerdomp.

Giga said...

It is pretty and I really like the arrangement of color feathers. Have a nice week. Regards.

MadSnapper said...

what beautiful chest feathers he has..

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful, the Bittern is excellent, my favourite is number 3, I love it.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

ah, I know I've confused these guys for young green herons.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Wow! Another bird I'm not sure I've seen. I went back and looked at my Green heron but I see some differences. I almost wondered if I had got the ID wrong. Love your photos...you are GOOD! Hugs, Diane

Rose said...

Wonderful shots! I wish there were more of them around here.

This N That said...

Looks like a large bird..Love the way the feather pattern makes it look striped..

The Yum List said...

The second one looks like he's just had a big happy meal. :-)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

love your new header shots. happy week to you!! hope you are stay warm. so cold around here. ( ;

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely to see your photo's.
What amazing colouring this bird has.

All the best Jan

Lynne said...

A really, very very "pretty bird."

Anonymous said...

Yes, I enjoyed the post and the photos of the American Bittern

Michelle said...

I always appreciate the birds I see on your blog. I am always learning about new ones.

krishna said...

The bird is so beautiful..

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Great detail on each photo. Strong looking bird. Thanks Eileen.
Joy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

He's an interesting bird and one that's hard to spot. You did well. Thanks for sharing.

Pat Tillett said...

Never heard of this one. It's a beauty though. Great photos of him also.

handmade by amalia said...

I've never seen an American Bittern before. It looks to be an inquisitive bird.
Amalia
xo

Lady Fi said...

What lovely markings that bird has.

amo sin blogg said...

Beautiful birds !

Have a nice week !

Hootin Anni said...

One of my favorites Eileen. Such great portraits.

Helma said...

Ohhhh ..... great to see this wonderful bittern.
I also hope someday to be able to get right in to picture.
These photos of you are super!
Greetings, Helma

PS I was by crowds forgot to link my post last Saturday.

Mary Hone said...

The pattern in those feathers is very pretty.

Cloudia said...

Oh Honey! What fun to know you

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Are't they beautiful. Eileen, your image shares are all stunning, just wonderful work! I wish that I could have seen one again this past journey, but at least I got to see one two years ago. Have a wonderful week~

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

What an interesting looking critter. Have a great day!
Andrea

Suzanne said...

Wow! You said the bird is large and chunky, but I wasn't expecting what your final picture showed! This bird looks pretty tall! Extraordinary, and, beautiful! Have a great day, Eileen!

A Colorful World said...

He's just beautiful!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Eileen, I've said this many times but I love seeing your pictures of all of the different birds --while you are in Florida... This guy is gorgeous. I have never seen one before...

Hugs,
Betsy

Dianna said...

What an unusual, but beautiful looking bird. Thank you so much, Eileen, for sharing about it.

Findlay Wilde said...

Fantastic birds to see. Our bitterns over winter in the reed beds near us and are sometimes impossible to pick out in the reeds.

Charlene N. K. said...

I like this bird, it's so beautiful! Thanks for showing it to us through your amazing pictures.

Deb from frugal little bungalow said...

another bird that is new to me ; yes I did enjoy! :)

HappyK said...

What a beautiful bird!!

Anu said...

Hello Eileen. Your photos are awesome. The American Bittern looking so beautiful.

Sussi said...

wonderful photos!

Les Fous du Cap said...

Vous vous êtes déguisée en Butor pour réaliser ces magnifiques images de cet oiseau si discret ? ;-)
Céline & Philippe

Lea said...

Great photos!
Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
such a fabulous bird with pretty lovely fantastic feathers.
Best regards, Synnöve

Jeevan said...

American bittern resembles our Indian pond heron! Great capture

Liz said...

Fabulous shots, Eileen! They are strong looking birds, aren't they!

Lois said...

An interesting looking bird. I don't believe I have ever seen one before.

Devilish Angel said...

Nice photo Eileen...

NatureFootstep said...

wonderful sight. It is several years since I was the one we have. Nice to see yours.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh wow - great shots. I only saw a Bittern one time - and it quickly disappeared into the reeds and I didn't get a picture.

Rambling Woods said...

I saw a nature program that talked about these birds....lovely captures Eileen...Michelle

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