As regular readers will know, Whistling Joe has once again registered a complaint at the behaviour of the Island Mere bitterns, as you can read here. I know he blames me, but I can't really be held responsible for the non-conformist behaviour of our bitterns, which have yet again thrown out the rule book and begun parading around for all and sundry to see them!
After reading his last post, and enjoying the amazing photos of this rule-breaker, I took a stroll down to Island Mere at lunchtime to look for myself. I was greeted by three excited visitors who whispered that my timing was perfect as the bittern had just wandered back into view. It was, however, hiding behind a few wispy uncut reeds at the water's edge. I think, perhaps, I may uphold WJ's complaint for such inconsiderate behaviour!
Time to try a different angle
That's better. Now, how good is the zoom on this camera?
Woah! I feel like I'm being watched!
The bittern wasn't the only fisherman on show, as the grey heron had taken up its usual position at the far end of the channel.
Just then an otter appeared down the left hand side of the mere, but too distant for a photograph. Never mind, time to try something different with the bittern photos.
Perhaps that's what you need to try WJ. Seemed to be less reeds in the way of the refection!
What did i say about the otter being too far away?
After chopping down this fish in a few seconds, it was time to try up the channel. The bittern made a hasty retreat for all of two metres. The heron followed the otter down the channel, possibly hoping to steal a fish
that evaded the otter!
The otter soon exited stage left, the heron returned to its position at the end of the ditch, and the bittern recomposed itself before resuming fishing.
It even found time for a bit of modelling. Is this my best side?
Or this?
As with all good things, this one had to end as I had to come to the end of my lunchbreak. Just time for a quick pause at Bittern Hide and guess what, there was another master fisherman at work there too.
Not bad for a 30 minute walk. Nature really doesn't get much better than this!
It seems the bittern was still being just as cooperative at Island Mere on Saturday - no binoculars needed! Not so visible yesterday, but that may be due to the wet weather. Still three otters using the channel yesterday though.
One day I will get a photo of the Minsmeres unruly Bittern.
My Flickr. Photos link HERE
Talk about complicated - it's a fisherman ballet! I bet you didn't know which way to look next :-) Fantastic group of shots - the first one is also a brilliant demonstration of just how easily a Bittern vanishes behind a couple of reeds. At this rate you'll have to get a couch in the hide so visitors can have a lie down to recover from all the excitement!
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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
Wow, Ian. Did you walk back to your desk or did you float? What a brilliant lunch break, and beautiful photos as well.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.