Camouflage Expert by Ken _Gilliland

Vue • Animals • posted on Oct 08, 2009

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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.

Description

"Ignore me-- I'm just another reed" says the American Bittern. Bitterns are camouflage experts; when alarmed, it points its bill skyward and aligns its body contours, and thus the stripes on its breast with the surrounding vertical wetland grasses. This is commonly known as the "bittern-stance" that the bird can maintain for hours. It winters in the southern United States and Central America. It summers throughout Canada and much of the United States. Its far-carrying booming call is distinctive, but the bittern itself likes to keep under cover. It eats amphibians, fish, insects and reptiles. This bird's numbers have declined in the southern parts of its range due to habitat loss. Bitterns are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Rendered in Vue 7i with minor postwork. Dragonfly (Noggin), Bittern (Me)