Some marsh birds are secretive and well camouflaged, so are a real treat when you get a look at them. American Bitterns have bold vertical stripes that allow them to blend with marsh grasses, and a habit of standing perfectly still with their heads thrust up into the air.
We spotted this one while exploring Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge. I don't think he was as well hidden as he thought! (Click on pictures for a larger version).
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| American Bittern |
Unfortunately he got nervous and took to the air soon after being discovered.
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| American Bittern |
On our way to the refuge we were on a road with wet ditches on each side. I'd no sooner said "This would be a good spot for a rail" than this Clapper Rail revealed itself.
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| Clapper Rail |
Clapper Rails are secretive birds that slide off into the grass as soon as they are spotted, and getting a decent picture can be tough! This one disappeared after just a few seconds.
On our way back from the refuge, we saw another (or the same) Clapper Rail. This one posed facing us for a moment before stalking off.
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| Clapper Rail |
A morning of birding with both an American Bittern and a Clapper Rail is a good morning!
Mark
I love it when I see the bitterns... it's like I won in the game of "Hide and Seek". We saw our first one in this area just last week. No rails yet... but lots of egrets, herons and others. Are you at a refuge volunteering now?
ReplyDeleteWe are at Goose Island State Park for November and December, leading bird walks.
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