Hello Tweeters,
As we was driving around the Auto tour in Ridgefield on Sunday,we was
treated to a spectacle display of a courtship by an American Bittern.I been
seeing many Bittern in the field,but i never saw a Bittern on displaying a
courtship.This bird was right on the road in the open .displaying some soft
white feathers around in the neck area and also white feathers what got all
pluffed up as he gurgled his oank call moving his beak high in the air,
As his troat was swelling to a big ball,when he called.We did not leaving
the car,and watched this bird at least thirty minutes.I got my photos back
today and there are awesone in this display.I know some one on tweeters
earlier mention this paticular plumage what only can be sighted when there
doing there courtship.Since there is no photo in any birdbook sighted on
this,it must be hard to ever see.It reminds me of a breeding male Sage
Grouse on breeding grounds.
There is always a surprise waiting for you when one least expected.I wonder
how many biders a fortune ever saw this display in close encounter.This was
my first and it was such trill to see this bird so close and so long.

Ruth Sullivan
godwit at worldnet.att.net
tacoma