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Least Bittern in Cattails

A least bittern peeks out from a wall of tall, green cattails. Its legs are splayed out, the three long toes on each foot gripping the sides of the reeds.

The least bittern is the smallest and most secretive heron found in the wetlands of Cuyahoga Valley. See what an acrobat it is! This photo wonderfully shows the long toes and curved claws that allow it to cling to wetland plants. Like the green heron, the least bittern curls up its S-shaped neck as it waits for prey. Notice its long, orange-yellow bill. It has dark feathers on top of its head and back. Its body is light brown with white stripes running down its belly.

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Image

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Code: CUVA

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Latitude: 41.1502799987793, Longitude: -81.5678787231445

NPS.gov Collection

08/14/2017

08/14/2017

Public Can View

Rick McMeechan

Rick McMeechan

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 7:07:58 AM

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 7:07:58 AM

20170814 least bittern c Rick McMeechan (4)_edited1.jpg

Canon Canon, Canon EOS 7D Mark II 640, EF400mm f/2.8L IS II USM +1.4x III

1/250 sec at f / 5.6

560 mm

ISO 640

Monday, August 14, 2017 11:58:22 PM

jpg

4.4 MB

2021-07-07T08:59:58-04:00

Scenic