Tweeters-

On Mon. 6 Nov. 1995, Wes Jansen wrote:
>. . . am I going to see Bitterns on a regular basis now?>

Probably not. In my experience in observing them at the Montlake Fill
over the past 5 years, I have come to the conclusion that, like many
things in life,

Bitterns just happen.

In Sept. of this year, I wandered through the blackberries on the east
side of the Fill to find one sitting on one of the logs in that little
backwater beyond the cottonwoods. It was within easy reach of a 400mm
telephoto, which, of course, I did not have with me at the time. I haven't
seen it since - anywhere in the Fill area.

In previous years, I've seen one in the same area, and in the southwest
corner in the cattails, and around the pond by the E-5 parking lot, and
on the logs in the canal toward the Stadium - but never reliably or
predictably anywhere - and I suspect that I could spend days, even months
searching and never find one, even though it is probably there.

IF you do come upon one at close range, AND have your camera gear,
be ready for a fascinating and frustrating experience. Bitterns seem
to be very confident of their camouflage, and do not seem to flush
easily if you are patient, and can get low, and move VERY slowly and
smoothly. I've been able to get within 10 feet of one while we both
did a slow dance, with the Bittern always attempting to keep something,
even a single blade of marsh grass, between us. Even this can produce
a fun photograph, with that eye peering at you sideways around a cattail.
The usual end of such episodes comes when the Bittern slowly and carefully
wanders away into some inaccessible swampy reach. (No flames please; my
retreats from such close approaches are as slow and careful as my advance -
I owe my subject the courtesy of no further disturbance.)

I've only had one occasion at the Fill when I could actually
successfully photograph one at the range I wanted, and that was 5
years ago, even though I keep trying.

So, welcome to the magical world of the elusive American Bittern - and
good luck.

Gary DuVall
Seattle, WA
<gduvall at eskimo.com>