A bit of a contradiction, but maybe the explanation will clear things up. One website says they are 13” long, but they seem much smaller when you see them from a distance and are difficult to spot….usually. This particular male was easy to find because he was busy calling for a mate and all I had to do was follow the calls. They usually don’t stick around and can walk though the branches of a reed like a hot knife through butter and disappear in the blink of an eye. This is a male photographed on Armand Bayou. Two shots here to give you some indication how small he is when seen from a distance in the reeds.

You can listen to the call at the link below.
birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/leabit/introduction

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Tags:   WanaM3 Nikon D7100 Nikon D7100 Texas Pasadena Clear Lake City Armand Bayou bayou outdoors nature wildlife canoeing paddling reeds animal bird bittern Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis

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A bit of a contradiction, but maybe the explanation will clear things up. One website says they are 13” long, but they seem much smaller when you see them from a distance and are difficult to spot….usually. This particular male was easy to find because he was busy calling for a mate and all I had to do was follow the calls. They usually don’t stick around and can walk though the branches of a reed like a hot knife through butter and disappear in the blink of an eye. This is a male photographed on Armand Bayou. Two shots here to give you some indication how small he is when seen from a distance in the reeds.


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Tags:   WanaM3 Nikon D7100 Nikon D7100 Texas Pasadena Clear Lake City Armand Bayou bayou outdoors nature wildlife canoeing paddling reeds bird animal bittern Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis

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This is another post of this wily little character from the reeds. Before the surgery, I would never have seen him stuck back in the reeds and it was only because he was heavy into his mating calls that I was able to locate and capture. That desire to mate likely had a lot to do with him sticking around while I floundered around in the canoe taking photos. He was EXTREMELY cooperative. Least Bittern in the reeds on the south bank of Armand Bayou.

I attempted to rely to some people about the challenge of taking photos with my vision problems. If the focus point in the camera didn’t light up, I didn’t take the photo. There were times when I returned home with some very poor results. I never knew how sharp the photos were until after the surgery and am now seeing details that I missed for quite some time. It’s no longer a problem as I can see the clarity now.

A bit more of laugh if anyone wants to read. I thought that the TV that Georgia used was fading out and so went out this past Mother’s Day and surprised her with a newer larger and sharper TV. I am sure that she was left scratching her head as why I replaced a perfectly good TV. I now know that the problems were all attributed to my problems with the cataracts. It happens so gradually that you don’t know it’s happening.

I make no guarantees about taking better photos, but at least I’ll be able to locate the animal from a great distance. I hope it’s a real eye opener when I return to the bayou and taking photos. Time will tell.

I also included the update on Taylor as well.


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I think this is the “HEAD” reed checker on Horsepen Bayou and his task it to make sure all of the reeds are all straight and neatly arranged. His job is actually trying to stay hidden from that pesky clown in the canoe. I usually don’t see many Least Bitterns when I am out, but this day was completely different. Was finally able to make a return to the bayou and was greeted by a whole host of juvenile Least Bitterns. They are quite the prize for me since they are so small and finding so many was pretty entertaining. Even though they are very young they are very adept at slicing through those reeds like a hot knife through butter and can disappear in the blink of an eye. This one offered up a nice welcoming shot to me in the early morning light. Photo taken on Horsepen Bayou.

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Tags:   WanaM3 Nikon D7100 Nikon D7100 Texas Pasadena Clear Lake City Horsepen Bayou bayou outdoors nature wildlife canoeing paddling reeds animal bird bittern Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis

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Would also like to thank everyone for your wonderful comments. I don’t take the time to say thank you enough, but I want everyone to know that each comment is deeply appreciated. Wishing everyone a wonderful day. Have a marvelous day. Peace.

Just my own term for something so young that can slice though those reeds in the blink of an eye and disappear before you can even blink. Not sure at what point in their development they acquire the capabilities to walk through those reeds better than I walk on flat ground. They are just impressive little critters. I saw about 4 or 5 of them on this particular morning and normally consider it a good day when I see one or two. Least Bittern perched in the reeds on Horsepen Bayou in the early morning light.

Just checked the winds for tomorrow and decided to wait till next week to take the trip. Once winds get up in the 10 mph range, taking photos from the canoe is almost impossible.


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Tags:   WanaM3 Nikon D7100 Nikon D7100 Texas Pasadena Clear Lake City Horsepen Bayou bayou outdoors reeds nature wildlife canoeing paddling animal bird bittern Least Bittern reed rocket Ixobrychus exilis juvenile feet large feet

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