Just catching up after a long illness and wanted to share a few recent images from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, since I haven’t been on WordPress for the past two months. I look forward to catching up with my fellow-bloggers’ posts in the coming weeks!☀️ This chubby little Gray Catbird climbing around on the mossy rocks […]
Tag Archives: American Bittern
When I first spotted this elusive bird, he was deep in the shadows with his back turned to me, and I wasn’t even sure yet that he was an American Bittern. It soon became obvious when he emerged into a clearing and set about hunting in earnest – right out in the open. “Bitterns are […]
It’s always exciting to spot a secretive American Bittern stalking around in the marsh. Unlike other herons who will often fly off when disturbed, the well-camouflaged Bittern will frequently stay right where it is, trying ever so hard to hide amongst the tall leaves. To enhance the effect of pretending to be part of the plant life, “alarmed birds ‘skypoint’, swaying […]
I love the American Bittern – what a curiously unique member of the heron family! This large Bittern has been aptly described as stout, streaked, solitary, and, most definitely, secretive and stealthy. The elusive American Bitterns are often very difficult to spot, but this one was quite accommodating and stayed out in the open for quite some time before he slipped back […]
What a thrill to get a glimpse of this beautiful, well-fed American Bittern. We were strolling along a boardwalk, when my husband suddenly spotted some movement in the tall marshy grasses . . . and then the Bittern emerged!Known for its solitary and elusive behavior, this ‘stout heron’ can be found in dense freshwater marshes (http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-bittern), and […]
It’s always a thrill to spot an American Bittern! If you have the good fortune to encounter one at all, it is usually well-camouflaged – and it’s often likely to disappear from view quickly.When disturbed, the Bittern will frequently elongate his neck and point his head skyward, as if trying to blend in even more […]
I had stopped to take a photo of some other birds wading in a roadside pond, when all of a sudden . . . . . . this charming American Bittern suddenly appeared out of nowhere and walked right in front of me on the path.He looked this way and that ;), and then continued on his way, […]

It’s interesting to observe how the colors of the late day sun affect a bird’s appearance. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker above that I spied on a recent early evening walk, certainly looked like he was enjoying the last rays of sun. We usually see the Boat-tailed Grackle above in his brilliant, shimmering blue feathers in the daytime sun. […]

The pretty American Bittern above was clearly on a mission last week, stalking very close to the boardwalk. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, this large Bittern is quite elusive, “uncommon and very inconspicuous,” (The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Ed.), so it’s always exciting to see one in full view, right near by. They can be nearly […]