Little Bitterns from France

As I noted in a previous post, I put in quite a few hours of my family holiday in France to photographing Little Bitterns. I have finally gone through the several hundred images of them and processed 50 of the best for my website. There were several pairs which were feeding well developed juveniles in the reedbeds. So I was able to get a good variety of shots, including many in flight, especially of the males which were constantly back and to with food.

More images here - Steven Round Bird Photography
 

After a few days I was shown an area where they were feeding and would come within 3 or 4 metres. Quite a bit of patience was needed though and on my first session I had to wait over 5 hours before one came in, by which time the sun was too high and the light was a bit harsh to say the least. The next day I was there at first light, and within 15 minutes I had a male land and walk towards me, too close at times. I soon realised that I didn't have to be so still or hidden as I had been, he wasn't bothered by me being there at all. I was able to change lenses and even stand up to stretch my legs, without him even looking at me. It was a great experience.

I even managed to photograph them sunbathing.