Least Bittern

#leastbittern #naturephotography #nature #birds #birders #birdwatchers #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #dailybird #birdsofpixelfed #birdsofmastodon #naturephotos #LAwildlife #losangeles

Last Tuesday, I spent the afternoon at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, not far from JFK airport, in Queens, NY. To be specific, I spent about four hours in a blind at the edge of a small freshwater pond in this saltmarsh, mostly watching a Least Bittern and hoping it would come out into the open and closer to us. In the meantime, I appreciated the utility of a blind as a multitude of creatures disported around us. Here are a few shots of the Bittern, all heavily cropped and denoised. The Least Bittern, found in North America, is the smallest member of the Ardeidae (as listed by Birds of the World, which then describes the African Dwarf Bittern as smaller and lighter...). It is slightly larger than an American Robin (Bittern shown in the last shot conveniently posing with a Goldfinch). While not listed as endangered, its secretive nature makes counts difficult, and loss of marshland habitat poses a threat to this species.
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #biodiversity #saltmarsh
#LeastBittern #Ardeidae

⛅️ Unexpected lull in the rain 🐦‍⬛ Two birding expeditions with my husband 💫 Lifer excitement #leastbittern #birds #birding #lifer #solaceinnature #creationstruck #simplejoys #mastodonwildlife #birdphotos

#naturephotography #ilovebirds #Natuurfotojaar foto 28/365 op #aruba in het #bubalivogelreservaat dook deze #AmerikaanseWoudaap #LeastBittern op uit de begroeiing.