
On a quiet walk one recent morning I was surprised to come across this beautiful American Bittern just strolling lazily in the marsh!

“Usually secretive and difficult to see,” this species is not uncommon in our Florida wetlands, but Bitterns are so elusive that they are often easily missed.

They . . . “are stealth predators and typically stand motionless as they wait for prey to approach, or stalk it with barely perceptible motions.”

But this one was different. Much to my delight, he emerged from the dense marsh grass and headed straight toward me and right out into the open!
What a beauty! 💚
Learn much more about American Bitterns on Ebird and All about Birds.
that’s one of the most intriguing and interesting posts yet! What an amazing creature.
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Thanks, Berny!!
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What a great find! 😊
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Yes, it’s always a huge treat to come across an American Bittern, especially so close up!
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What a beauty, love that neck stretch 😊. Excellent photos!
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Your visit is much appreciated Belinda!! American Bitterns are so special! Hope all is well with you. ☺️
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😊
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Beautiful captures BJ of this very elusive and special bird. I am sure like us you would have been excited to get such a revealed exposure of the bird. It looks very similar to our Australasian Bittern. A very special birding moment I am sure my friend 🙂
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You are so right, AB!! You’ve clearly had similar memorable experiences!
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Great photos! I’m slightly jealous of your wonderful close-ups of the bird. Where should I go to find them next time I visit Florida?
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Thanks Sue! Though they’re good at hiding, I’ve seen them over the years at several birding spots here in Palm Beach county, including this spot – Green Cay Wetlands. But also as far north as Orlando Wetlands and Circle B Bar Reserve, near Lakeland southwest of Orlando, and at Big Cypress and Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, both in southwest Florida. I really hope you get a chance to see one!
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Thanks for the tips. I hope we will get back to FL next winter sometime.
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Thanks for the tips. I hope we will get back to FL next winter sometime.
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I hope you will, Sue! ☀️🌴
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A fabulous bird! How lucky you are to have encountered such a beautiful creature – and you did him justice with great photographs. 🙂
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Thanks for your kind comment Ann!! I was so fortunate to come upon the Bittern and have him walk right toward me right out in the clearing!
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I love birds!
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As do I!
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What a beauty, indeed! Love this bird series. 🙂
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Your comments are so appreciated, Amy! Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend! ☀️
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One of the most shy birds and yet… great shots.
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They sure are. I always love it when they appear totally unexpectedly. ☺️
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Oh, Bittern bold, you sauntered forth 🦩🚶, From marshy realms of southern earth 🌴🌊. Elusive bird with stealthy guise 🕵️♂️🌿, You chose to grace my mother’s eyes! 👀💚
“Secretive and difficult to see” 🤫🔎, Yet here you are, just strolling free 🚶♂️🦅! A stealthy predator, poised to pounce 🎯🐟, Do you hunt, or simply flounce? 🤔💃
You spurn the grass, emerge with pride 🌾🌟, As if to say, “I’m done with hide!” 🎭✨ Through tangled reeds you cut a path 🌿✂️, Defying nature’s cryptic math 📐🔢.
Oh, Mother Dearest, what a thrill 🎥😲, Your wetlands walks, they never chill 🌅🍃. For while mere mortals search in vain 🔍😓, You spot the Bittern in its reign 👑🦩.
So I salute your marshland prowl 🌾🕵️, As Bitterns strut, you simply howl 📸🗣️. The birds all know you by your name 🏞️🎓, “Birder’s Journey,” queen of the game 👑🦜!
And now I wait for tales anew 🕰️✍️, Of stealthy cranes and egrets too 🦩🌿. For where you walk, the wilds confide 🏞️🔓, Even the Bittern has no place to hide! 🤫🔎
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I love this, Yishai! Thank you for your elegant tale of my adventure with the stealthy Bittern!!☺️
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💖👍
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Wow – what a special encounter. The bittern is so dapper in those stripes!
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I agree, Carol! These Bitterns do indeed look dapper in their stunning striped plumage!
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Lucky you–what a wonderful encounter. I’m envious!!! 😊
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It really did feel like a special encounter, Tanja! No one else was even nearby on the boardwalk when I first spotted this wonderful Bittern. I enjoyed being able to point him out when others came by.
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It’s so special when it happens like this!
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Yes!
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What a beautiful bird! I love the feather pattern on its neck and how it blends into its environment. Looks like he was coming to say, hello 😊
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Yes! I do believe he was. 😉
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