With the nice weather it was another busy Sunday afternoon while volunteering at Reifel. A good part of my afternoon was spent keeping tabs on one of the Northern Saw-whet Owls in a vulnerable spot along the east dyke trail. It has gotten bad enough with visitors getting too close that staff have had to erect temporary fencing. Once things settled down towards the end of the day I did manage to get a brief walk in. While heading out along the outer dyke trail in search of my nemesis bird, Swamp Sparrow, there was a pleasant surprise skulking in the blown down reeds.
An American Bittern was busy foraging and feeding on small minnows. I stayed put here to point out this usually secretive heron to visitors. Everyone was delighted as it is not often you can sit back and watch these birds out in the open for this length of time.
When photographing American Bittern I always try to get a shot of them when they are standing tall in the reeds. They blend in so well it helps, as in this photo, to try and get them when there is a break in the reeds. You still capture their natural habitat and the clearer section helps highlight the bird.