Seeing an American Bittern is always a thrill, since they are so elusive. I hear them often at the marsh, but have only seen one a couple times before.

I painted this one by permission from a source photo by the talented Nancy Steed Wilcox. I always appreciate working from her incredible photographs.

For some reason, after painting the Wood Duck Drake and Hooded Mergansers, I thought the American Bittern would be much easier… just greys and browns and whites, after all! No such thing… the subtlety made it even harder.

This post describes the puffing up they do when they call, which is likely what Nancy caught in this photo.

Right after I’d finished the painting, I had to run an errand. As I drove near the marsh, a bittern flew right in front of my car! As if I’d released it or as if it was honouring my work 🙂 Thank you American Bittern!