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The Least Bittern


The Least Bittern
Photo Information
Copyright: Asbed Iskedjian (CeltickRanger) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1214 W: 60 N: 2313] (7691)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon Coolpix P60, NiKKOR 5X OPTICAL ZOOM VR
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/500 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-08-08 7:53
Viewed: 425
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
hello dear TN friends, when i buyed my new Nikon
one of the first things i wanted to do is to return
to the Nature Park of Bois de l'ile Bizard

http://www.out-there.com/qc12bib.htm

and my main objectif, my main goal was to have a shot
of the Least Bittern, but i passed there a good 4 hours
and there was no Least Bitterns, when i just arrived
the other photographers told me he was there
but now he is hided in the aquatic vegetations

after a good 4 hours without seeing it i decide
i will go home and i'll comeback another time,
i was starting to go when one photographer
did me a sign with his hands it is here come

The Least Bittern was there in his fishing pose,
i was on a footbirdge (passerelle), i just had
the time to see it, point the camera, focus
and then shoot the image, he was too close
to the footbidge, he fished and then went
under the footbidge, i did not saw him again

The Least Bittern being too close to the footbirdge
it gives me this shot with a diffrent POV from above,
after that i did not see this wonderful bird,
but i was very happy i had my Least Bittern shot

and now i am more happy because
i read that it is a rare bird in Québec,

photo shot with my new Nikon compact camera

from Environment Canada website
here is a very interesting notes on this bird :

http://www.qc.ec.gc.ca/faune/oiseaux_menaces/html/petit_blongios_e.html

« Least Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis

Threatened in Canada
Likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Québec

Population status
The Least Bittern breeds locally from northern Argentina
to southern Canada. Canada has roughly 1000 pairs,
most of which breed in southern Ontario.

In Québec, this small wading bird has always been rare.
The fewer than 200 pairs found in the province are limited
to a few dozen marshes located mainly in the
St. Lawrence Lowlands and Ottawa Valley.

Given its highly secretive ways, the Least Bittern is particularly
difficult to detect and census. Therefore, it is difficult to reach
a verdict on population trends in the species. Most specialists
and observers consider it to be in decline throughout Canada.
It has disappeared from such well-known protected sites
as Long Point and Point Pelee in Ontario.

Conservation considerations and measures
The Least Bittern typically breeds in large marshes
interspersed with pools and dominated by tall emergent
vegetation such as cattails or Phragmites. Unfortunately,
such habitats have always been threatened by development.
In Québec, the draining and filling in of marshes for development
are undoubtedly the main reasons for the species' scarcity.

To ensure the survival of the Least Bittern locally in Québec,
better habitat protection is required. The species could
benefit from the creation of artificial marshes such as those
developed by Ducks Unlimited, as well as marshes designed
to filter wastewater, as long as the water is of sufficient
quality and disturbance is limited. »

Merci

Asbed
sranjan, Alex99, MMM, eqshannon, albert, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jusninasirun: hello Jusni (my new toy : Coolpix P60)CeltickRanger 1 08-10 17:32
To Argus: hello Ivan (crop of the image)CeltickRanger 1 08-08 14:52
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Critiques [Translate]

Dear Asbed,
Beautiful Least Bittern with fishing pose & superb details. I appreciate your notes & the tandem concentration of the photographer on the bird & bird on the fish :) TFS.
Regards-Subhash

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984] (24857)
  • [2008-08-08 9:29]
  • [+]

Hello Asbed,
I don't know how much you had to crop this but it is a fine capture of a Least Bittern with your new compact with good sharpness.
Nice action shot to showing how it stretches its body creeping throughthe undergrowth.
TFS this fine shot,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3174 W: 154 N: 4796] (15481)
  • [2008-08-08 9:49]

Hi Asbed.
Fantastic patient and great prize. Very expressive action shot. Pose of the bird is amazing as well as so natural impressive scene at whole. I like deep rich colours and excellent details of the scene despite the strong shadows. So attractive work. My kind regards and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 787 W: 0 N: 1581] (7260)
  • [2008-08-08 10:17]

Salut Asbed
Jolie capture.Pas facile a voir et encore moins facile a voir longtemps.Tu as capturé le blongieau dans une pause typique de pêche.L'image est également bien en focus.Excellent texte.
Merci Michel

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-08-08 12:00]

Hi Asbed,every time i'm surprise from your class to show differently the birds! This is an incredible point of view,i like a lot this pic,and i like a lot the note always interesting,my best compliments and thanks another time for your impressive work,have a nice weekend,Luciano

Ciao Asbed,
splendida cattura di questo Least Bittern, simile al nostro Tarabusino (Ixobrychus minutus - Little Bittern), bellissima composizione con la postura tipica di pesca e la bella ambientazione nel canneto, ottima nitidezza, belli e naturali i colori.
TFS. Maurizio

I'll bet you are very happy with this new camera as I can see it gives you a wider range of colours. And it retains the similar character of the bird. Nicely framed. You are a person who puts a lot into the hobby...Tres bien!
Bob

Bonjour Asbed,
J'imagine qu'il n'a pas été facile de faire cette photo dans ce fouillis de vegetation!
Bravo pour le resultat
Amities
Albert

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
  • [2008-08-09 9:42]

Bravo Asbed pour cette belle image du Petit Biongios, bien vu et bien fait, j'aime sa position de chasse! Merci,

Mario

Hello Asbed. Another good shot from your new toy. Nice capture in natural habitat from unique pov. I like the framing with the light catching on the back. Thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni

I like this photo very much. I don´t know much about this North American species but suppose it´s very hard to take photos of, as the European relatives.
I have some thoughts about the very light leaf to the left and the light one above the bill. They disturb me a little and I wonder if it is "allowed" and possible to darken the left one and to rub out the right one? I have not tried myself.

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