A pair of elusive Bittern, gave me a morning never to forget
As wildlife photographers, we all have a list of species that we hope one day, we might be lucky enough to capture on camera and I have spent many years with the 'Bittern', firmly at the top of my own personal list. They are one of the most elusive birds and I have spent hundreds of hours on locations where I know they are breeding, but apart from occasionally hearing their unique 'booming' call and a fleeting glimpse, I have never until now been able to get an acceptable image of these prehistoric looking birds. a very rare 'head on' image of a Bittern coming in low over the reed beds to land. I had arrived on site at 06.00 hrs and set up my gear in the hide, which would be my position for the next 6 hours. Flask of coffee and a couple of 'tea cakes' to keep me sustained, I was ready for a long haul and hoping to see the Marsh Harriers that call this reserve home. Within half an hour, the male Marsh Harrier was up and hunting and although keeping its di...