As I looked out the window today, hoping to get a peak of the new baby rabbit living in my woodpile, I observed a strange looking bird in the upper portion of my yard. I yelled to my hubby to get his camera, and laughed when he told me that he had no film in it. This from a man who is always taking pictures of the birds in at his feeder. I frantically ran for my digital camera to see if I could get a few shots before it disappeared. I creeped up closer to get a better view.
The bird moved to the back side of my neighbors house. I thought it had flown away but to my surprise, it had hidden itself in some shrubs and I walked right by it. When I started back, it came out and waddled across the lawn. I later found it to be an American Bittern. It was not even listed in our PA bird books as one that is known to migrate through the area. Its neck and head was shaped like a young zucchini. (Sorry, but being a gardener, that was the first thing that came to mind.) It has wings that span about 45 inches and it puts its head straight up in the air and freezes in hopes that no one will notice it. Now, how do you not notice a 28 inch bird with a head and neck the shape of a zucchini. The bird is now on the protected species list because it is losing much of the marshes that it uses as its habitat in the south.
Needless to say, the sighting made my husband and my day. We snaped some photos and added this rare viewing to the list of birds that have paid visits to our backyard. I also would like to think that because we do not use pestacides and harmful chemicals, our yard becomes a safe and desireable place for wildlife to visit. I hope that I will have many more wonderful visits such as this one.
