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The Photos Of Roy Cunningham
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Bittern In Flight Over Leighton Moss
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Not only is the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) a rare bird in the UK, it’s also extremely difficult to spot, spending most of its time out of sight hidden in tall reeds. So when one suddenly flies across the water in front of you at great speed, you grab your camera and take the shot – and don’t stop to worry about trivialities such as focusing, exposure or composition!
To put it into perspective, it’s estimated that there are fewer than 75 male bitterns in the UK. On that basis, I make no apology for the poor quality of this snatched shot – I’m just grateful I had the opportunity to see this magnificent bird.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II w/ Canon 400mm f5.6L; Exposure: 1/640th sec @ f8; ISO: 500